Exclusive: ‘Uganda More Than Ready’ - Sports Minister Ogwang Assures, Amidst Concerns of Lagging Behind Schedule in Co-Hosting 2024 CHAN

Following growing concerns and worries that the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) could face extended delays, Uganda's Minister of State for Sports Peter Ogwang has come out to quash any fears, insisting that they are more than ready to oversee the continental showdown.

The forthcoming biennial tournament, which comprises players featuring in their respective local leagues, will be co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.

It is slated for February 1st to 28th, 2025, having been pushed from the initial September 2024 by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), which is the continental football governing body.

Meanwhile, infrastructural crisis across the three countries have cast doubt about whether the competition will happen as scheduled. Uganda, particularly, is yet to meet the required standards as two of the training facilities at Kadiba and Kyambogo are still under construction.

RAY OF HOPE IN THE MIDST OF CONCERNS OF UNPREPAREDNESS 

Minister Ogwang has downplayed the existing concerns, terming them as “glitches” that will be sorted just in time for the coveted tournament.

“Ahead of the coming CHAN, there have been a few glitches, but the organizing committee that is in charge of readiness and infrastructure is working overtime to have everything set,” Ogwang told SportsBoom.com in an exclusive interview.

“We're all but ready, and I can assure you that by February 1, we'll be having everything that needs sorting, especially the training facilities in Kyambogo and Kadiba ready for use.

“CAF inspectors have been here, carried inspections and guided us on how we can be 100% set by February 1. So, there's nothing to be worried about, everything is going on as planned, we're ready,” the minister confidently added.

TWO STADIUMS FOR KENYA AND TANZANIA, ONE FOR UGANDA NOT AN ISSUE

While Kenya and Tanzania have lined two stadiums apiece for the CHAN finals, Uganda can only field one which meets the desired and set CAF standards for the grade of the tournament.

Kenya is readying Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium for the tournament, while Tanzania's Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and the Zanzibar-based Amaan Stadium are approved host venues.

On the other hand, minister Ogwang has confirmed the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole as the only available stadium for the forthcoming CHAN: “We're only going to use Mandela National Stadium, and four additional training facilities. It's also not an issue of concern really.”

“CAF is aware of these plans, as we don't work in isolation as the Local Organizing Committee. So, we'll use Mandela, as it assures a world class experience in terms of playing surface and the other facilities there.”

BILLIONS INVESTED, MINISTER WARNS AGAINST FUNDS MISHANDLING

Ogwang declared that the government of Uganda had invested up to a tune of $30 million (about 110 billion Uganda shillings) to ensure smooth operations for the CHAN finals. He, however, cautioned the organizing committee of any dubious appropriations of the funds.

“Of course the government is the biggest investor for the preparations. We committed $30 million, and we're certain it is being put to proper use. We want to ensure that every penny is spent towards the smooth flow of business of the CHAN.

“The Local Organizing Committee is working under serious scrutiny and guidelines in regards to these funds. We want to ensure transparency and accountability. I don't want us to reach a point where we have to make arrests over mishandling and embezzlement, or anything related to that,” Ogwang warned.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that this is the first time in history that the CHAN is jointly hosted. Also, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania won the bid to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, and the CHAN comes as part of the major preparations for the grand event.