By Frank Kamuntu
The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports Mrs. Janet Museveni has inaugurated a Local Organising Committee (LOC) and seven Sub Committees that are charged with effectively planning and executing a successful Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 tournament in Uganda.
The First Lady commissioned the Committees at a function that she hosted at State House Nakasero on Friday 17/05/2024.
The AFCON 2027 Local Organising Committee, is chaired by the First Lady and Minister of Education Mrs. Janet Museveni, and deputised by the Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang. It comprises people of vast experience in different fields, including Hon. Moses Magogo (President FUFA), Dr. Joseph Muvawala (Executive Director National Planning Authority), Rev. Can Dr Duncan Mugumya (Commissioner Physical Education and Sports-MoES), Pius Biribononoha (Deputy Solicitor General and Ex-officio from the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs) and Jacqueline Basemera(Principal Assistant Secretary -MoES and Secretary to LOC).
Others members of the LOC are those that will be chairing the various sub committees responsible for specific functional areas. These include: Brighton Barugahare (Government Services), Ambrose Tashobya (Infrastructure and Facilities), Justus Mugisha (Sporting), Kalema Ronnie (Competition Organizing), Dr. Ogwel Bernard Patrick (Finance and Resource Mobilization), Rogers Byamukama (Protocol and Hospitality), Dr. Mugimba Dennis (Marketing and Communication).
Mrs. Janet Museveni reminded the members that in September 2023, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded hosting rights for the 36th edition of the AFCON 2027 to the East Africa joint Pamoja bid by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Among the requirements is the establishment of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) that will be responsible for organising the tournament.
“The AFCON 2027 will be our maiden tournament of this magnitude in the history of the three partner states since its inception in 1957. Our target is to ensure the success of the tournament and leaving a positive legacy in our Country, Uganda”, she added.
She emphasized the need for team work and collective responsibility of all members. She said this calls for each of them to exercise restraint and put service of Uganda above their own interests.
She also called for transparency in the execution of their duties of organising the tournaments and reminded them on the obligation to account for all public resources. “I therefore appeal to you to avoid unethical conduct and financial impropriety that will bring a dark cloud over these tournaments that Ugandans are looking forward to enjoying,” she stressed.
Mrs Museveni noted that it is these same committees that will support the country in organising the CHAN tournament that will be held in September 2024.
She thanked the members for accepting the responsibility to serve on the committees and urged them to ensure that Uganda prepares adequately as a country to give Africans and the world a phenomenal experience.
“I am so proud of all of you and I feel honoured and grateful to have all of you as members to the Local Organising Committee and Sub Committees. I trust that all of us will do our best and I look forward to a beautiful experience as we work together to host the most prestigious football tournament on the African Continent”, she said.
Janet Museveni’s dedicated leadership and service right from giving guarantees to the CAF on behalf of Government, mobilizing resources, and close supervision among others. He said this ensured success of Uganda’s bid to host theAFCON 2027.
He said that the regional Inter-Ministerial Committee of the three partner states (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania) will guide and play an advisory role to the LOC.
“We must take on this assignment and execute it to the satisfaction of Ugandans. Our actions will be followed keenly and scrutinized by the public. We must know that we shall be held accountable. Let us work together as a team”, Ogwang urged the team.
The Sports Minster also reported the good news of Parliament’s approval of the required 152 billion shillings for the construction of Hoima City Stadium, which is one of the venues expected to host the AFCON 2027 games. Also, 100 billion shillings was approved in the next financial year of 2024/2025 to kick-start the construction of Akii Bua Memorial Stadium in Lira City.
