Published on 28/02/2025
Hamz Stadium-Nakivubo has achieved another milestone in its rapid rise as a premier sports venue after receiving approval from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host major continental tournaments. The announcement solidifies Uganda’s growing presence in African football and underscores the country’s commitment to developing world-class sporting infrastructure.
The stadium, which opened to the public on June 1, 2024, has been cleared to host qualifiers and final tournaments for the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), men’s U17, U20, and U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as well as the preliminary rounds of the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. CAF commended the facility for its contribution to the advancement of African football, emphasizing its role in raising the quality of competition on the continent.
This recognition comes on the heels of a series of international endorsements for Hamz Stadium. In October 2024, FIFA officially certified the stadium’s turf, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino personally awarding the certification. The facility was also nominated for a prestigious Global Award earlier this year, placing it among the top sporting venues worldwide.
Rogers Mulindwa, Chairman of the Hamz Stadium Management Committee, attributed the achievement to the collective efforts of the Ugandan government and the country’s sports leadership. He acknowledged the support of President Yoweri Museveni, Minister of Education and Sports Janet Kataaha Museveni, State Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, and FUFA President Moses Magogo, among others, for their commitment to elevating Uganda’s football landscape.
“This is more than just a victory for Hamz Stadium—it is a win for Uganda and African football,” Mulindwa said. “We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards as we host these prestigious tournaments, providing a platform for talent to thrive and for Uganda to shine on the continental stage.”
The approval from CAF is expected to have a far-reaching impact beyond football, boosting Uganda’s tourism industry, attracting global audiences, and fostering the growth of young talent. With state-of-the-art facilities and international recognition, Hamz Stadium-Nakivubo is set to become a key venue for African football and a symbol of Uganda’s rising influence in global sports.
Nakivubo is a multipurpose stadium making it Kampala’s most famous and iconic ground with unique amenities like lifts for the physically handicapped, cinema halls, an area for indoor games like Table Tennis and Pool, VIP boxes which can be booked by a group of people on top of ordinary sitting, VVIP and executive boxes on the first tier.
The executive boxes seat about 20 people each with extra amenities like self-contained lavatories, sofa sets, a conference room, and a resting area. Each category of fans will have its own entry and exit points.
Additionally, the stadium has a multi-level parking able to accommodate over 1,000 cars on top of other amenities like restaurants, gyms, and facilities for people with disabilities (PWDs).
Behind the goalposts on one end the stadium has a netball court while on the other a basketball court. There will be no running track as had earlier been planned following architectural changes.
The home and visiting teams will have a medical section room each, on top of dressing rooms that can seat up to 30 people each. There are also enough showers that can be used by all players of both sides on top of two referees’ rooms and lockers, and change rooms for all stadium support staff including ball boys who also have their rooms and amenities just like the kit’s men. There is also an allowance for a gym and a boxing ring under the stands.
Parking for service vehicles like ambulances and those of the VIPs are catered for including residential rooms for 80 people for teams that might want to stay for residential training.
The stadium also has a big screens and floodlights as well as security cameras installed around the stadium.
