Hoima City Stadium – stadium description

How does Hoima City Stadium look like in brief?

The construction of a new stadium in Hoima was prompted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania being selected to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The venue was built on the eastern outskirts of the city, where plans for a new arena had already existed.

The choice of Hoima was no coincidence – in the early 21st century, rich oil deposits were discovered in the area, raising high hopes for the region’s dynamic development. A second international airport in Uganda is also under construction near Hoima.

Construction began in the summer of 2024 and was fully funded by the government. The project was carried out by the Turkish company Summa, which completed the works in December 2025, ahead of schedule. The stadium was officially inaugurated on Christmas Eve.

The stadium features an athletics track, and its covered stands can accommodate 20,000 spectators. It is one of the largest and most modern stadiums in the country. In its surroundings, a sports hall, a swimming pool, and a training stadium were also built.

How did the new stadium in Hoima come about?

In 2019, the Rujumba family decided to donate 10 acres of land on the eastern outskirts of Hoima to the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) for the construction of a new stadium in the city. The agreement was signed on 27 October 2020.

After Uganda was selected in September 2023 as one of the hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (together with Kenya and Tanzania), the country’s top authorities took an interest in the construction of the new stadium in Hoima.

The stadium was planned to be built on the land previously provided to FUFA. In November 2023, the government acquired additional land (bringing the total site to 34.9 acres), and at the end of 2023, President Yoweri Museveni announced the project in a televised address.

The stadium is expected to be one of three Ugandan venues prepared for the Africa Cup of Nations, alongside Mandela National Stadium in Kampala and the new Akii Bua Stadium in Lira.

Why did the authorities choose Hoima as the location for the new stadium for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations?

Hoima is a city in western Uganda, near Lake Albert, serving as the capital of the district of the same name. In the early 21st century, significant oil deposits were discovered near the city, and the region is expected to experience substantial development in the near future.

In 2018, construction began on Uganda’s second international airport, located about 50 km west of Hoima. The proximity of the new airport was also one of the key factors influencing the choice of this city.

How did the construction of Hoima City Stadium proceed?

The contract for the stadium’s construction was signed on 7 June 2024 with the Turkish company Summa, which had previously been responsible, among other projects, for the expansion of Stade Amahoro in neighboring Rwanda. Construction began on 1 July 2024, and the project was carried out under a design-and-build contract.

The cost of the project amounted to USD 129 million and was fully covered by the government. The National Council of Sports (NCS) was responsible for overseeing the project on behalf of the government.

On 19 March 2025, the construction site was visited by President Yoweri Museveni and the First Lady, along with the Vice President, the Prime Minister, and other government and sports officials. During the ceremony, a commemorative cornerstone was unveiled.

The design and construction reports for Hoima City Stadium can be viewed on separate dedicated pages

When was Hoima City Stadium inaugurated?

The construction progressed very efficiently and was completed in December 2025, ahead of schedule. The new stadium was officially inaugurated on 24 December 2025 – on Christmas Eve.

At the opening ceremony, speeches were delivered by President Yoweri Museveni. The Prime Minister and other high-ranking politicians were also present, along with the Ambassador of Turkey.

On the day of the inauguration, the stadium hosted a friendly match between local side Kitara FC and KCCA FC from Kampala (1–0). A rugby match (Rwenzori vs Victoria, 18–7) was also played, alongside a number of other events and attractions.

What does Hoima City Stadium look like?

The stadium is equipped with an athletics track and has a capacity of 20,000 spectators. The stands surrounding the track are arranged on two tiers and are fully covered, while the structure is enclosed externally by a decorative facade.

The stadium’s surroundings include a sports hall with a capacity of 2,000 spectators, an auxiliary stadium with a training track, a 25-metre swimming pool, small pitches, and more than 800 parking spaces. The entire complex is located on the eastern outskirts of Hoima, about 5 km from the city center, along the main road leading east.

This is the first sports infrastructure project of such scale in Hoima. The new stadium also ranks among the largest and most modern venues in the country.