Security has been significantly increased at Hoima City Stadium and throughout Hoima City ahead of the Uganda-Libya AFCON Qualifier. By 8 a.m. Tuesday, anti-riot police and Uganda People’s Defence Forces personnel had secured the stadium and main access routes, while additional security teams patrolled Hoima City’s central business district.
Albertine Region Police spokesperson Julius Hakiza said the deployment has been sanctioned to protect both teams, fans, and members of the public. According to Hakiza, in such a big gathering, security must be at the forefront to detect and prevent any suspect wrong element.
Hakiza has appealed to the public to strictly adhere to the security guidelines being issued to them to ensure the success of the football match. He has further warned members of the public against participating in unauthorized movements in and around the stadium, saying security forces would take necessary action to maintain order.
Uganda Cranes will be taking on Libya in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying fixture today. The match kicks off at exactly 7 a.m., marking a significant moment for football in the region and another milestone in Uganda’s preparations to co-host the 2027 AFCON tournament alongside Kenya and Tanzania.
Both the Uganda Cranes and the Libyan national team arrived at Kabalega International Airport in Hoima District on Sunday ahead of the highly anticipated encounter. Although Uganda has already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON as one of the host nations, the Cranes are participating in the qualifiers to maintain competitive readiness ahead of the tournament.
The match is also being seen as an important step in the decentralisation of national-team football in Uganda.
It is the first competitive international fixture involving the Uganda Cranes to be played outside the Kampala metropolitan area, apart from matches played under the Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) competitions.
Hoima City Stadium was constructed by SUMMA as part of Uganda’s preparations to host the continental tournament. The 20,000-seater multi-purpose stadium is located on 34 acres of land in Kyarwiru Cell, Hoima East Division, and is among the venues selected to host matches during AFCON 2027.
Construction of the stadium reportedly cost 129 million US dollars and was fully financed through Uganda’s Petroleum Fund, supported by revenues from the country’s oil and gas resources.
Designed to meet international football standards set by FIFA and CAF, the facility is equipped to host major sporting and continental events, potentially bringing players, officials, media and thousands of fans to the Bunyoro region.
The stadium features VVIP sections, an indoor arena, a swimming pool, modern changing rooms with gyms, volleyball and basketball courts, media conference halls, a hybrid football pitch, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) room, FIFA and CAF offices, referee rooms, training grounds, a media gallery and parking space for nearly 1,000 vehicles, among other facilities.
The Uganda-Libya encounter therefore offers an early test of the facility’s ability to host international football while giving football fans in Bunyoro a chance to experience the national team on their doorstep-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
