AFCON 2027 Uganda Travel Guide: Stadiums, Hotels & Cars
East Africa has waited 51 years for this. In 2027, the Africa Cup of Nations returns to the region for the first time since Ethiopia hosted in 1976 — and for the first time ever, the tournament is being shared across three countries. TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027 runs from 19 June to 17 July 2027, co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
If Uganda is part of your AFCON 2027 plan, this guide covers everything you need to know: the stadiums, where to stay, how to get around, and why sorting your Uganda car rental early will make the difference between a smooth tournament and a stressful one.
Uganda’s Role in AFCON 2027
Uganda is one of three co-host nations, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, under the tournament’s “PAMOJA” banner — Swahili for “together.” Uganda automatically qualifies as a co-host, and its Local Organizing Committee has confirmed two primary venues for the group stage and beyond.
Uganda’s AFCON 2027 Stadiums
Mandela National Stadium (Namboole)
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Located in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, about 8km outside central Kampala on the Kampala–Jinja Highway, Mandela National Stadium is Uganda’s flagship venue. Originally opened in 1997 and built with a capacity of over 40,000, the stadium has undergone a major refurbishment — including new seating, dressing rooms, floodlights, and pitch upgrades — to meet CAF’s hosting standards. It’s the venue most fans travelling to Uganda for AFCON will visit.
Hoima City Stadium
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Hoima, roughly 200km northwest of Kampala, is Uganda’s second host city. A new stadium has been built specifically for the tournament, and it’s expected to host a share of group-stage matches. For fans, Hoima means a genuine road trip — there’s no direct rail or reliable mass transit link from Kampala, which makes private transport the practical way to get there and back.
Note: Venue assignments and the full match schedule are still being finalized by CAF. Fans should confirm fixtures and venues closer to the tournament.
Where to Stay: Hotel Areas Near the Action
Around Mandela National Stadium (Kampala/Wakiso): A cluster of hotels and guesthouses sit within a few kilometers of the stadium in Bweyogerere and the surrounding Namboole area, ranging from budget guesthouses to mid-range hotels. For more choice — and better access to restaurants, nightlife, and fan zones — most visitors base themselves in central Kampala, where established hotels like the Kampala Serena Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kampala, and Best Western Plus The Athena Hotel offer easy road access to Namboole, typically 20–40 minutes away depending on traffic.
Around Hoima: Hotel capacity in Hoima is far more limited than Kampala, so fans planning to attend matches there should book well ahead. Many supporters will choose to stay in Kampala and travel to Hoima on match day or overnight, which again puts private transport front and cent-re.
Booking tip: With a month-long tournament and three countries hosting simultaneously, accommodation across Uganda will fill up fast — especially around opening week and the knockout rounds. Book as early as your travel plans allow.
Getting Around Uganda During AFCON 2027
Uganda’s public transport — minibus taxis (“matatus”), boda boda motorcycle taxis, and long-distance coaches — works well for locals on a normal day, but it isn’t built for a month of concentrated international visitor traffic converging on match days. Here’s what fans should expect:
- Boda bodas are fast and everywhere, but risky with luggage, valuables, or after dark, and not realistic for group travel.
- Ride-hailing apps will be in extremely high demand on match days, with prices and wait times spiking accordingly.
- Matatus run fixed routes and get seriously congested; they’re not designed for tourists carrying bags or trying to reach a specific stadium gate on time.
- Long-distance coaches to Hoima exist but run on fixed schedules that won’t necessarily match kickoff times.
For nearly every fan itinerary — stadium transfers, hotel-to-fan-zone trips, Kampala-to-Hoima road trips, or side excursions — renting a car is the most reliable option, and pairing it with a professional Ugandan driver removes the biggest headaches entirely.
Self-Drive vs. Chauffeur-Driven: What Fans Should Choose
Uganda drives on the left, and traffic in Kampala — already dense on a normal day — will be considerably heavier during AFCON, especially around Namboole on match days. Road conditions also vary significantly once you’re outside the capital, particularly on the route toward Hoima.
Chauffeur-driven rental is the recommended option for most visiting fans:
- No need to adjust to local traffic rules, roundabouts, or driving on the left under pressure
- Drivers know which routes and parking areas to use near the stadium on match days
- No stress over traffic police checkpoints, insurance, or accident liability
- A driver who knows the area can double as a source of local knowledge — good food, safe areas, football culture
Self-drive suits fans who are experienced with East African roads and want maximum independence, but it’s a smaller minority of visiting supporters — most will find a driver-inclusive rental far less stressful during a high-traffic, high-stakes tournament month.
Sample Matchday Transport Plan
A typical AFCON 2027 day for a fan based in Kampala might look like this:
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- Morning: Breakfast at your hotel, pick-up by your rental driver
- Pre-match: A stop at a fan zone or restaurant near the stadium — your driver can suggest options and handle parking logistics
- Match: Drop-off at Namboole with an agreed pickup point and time for after the final whistle
- Post-match: Traffic around the stadium will be heavy for at least an hour after the match — your driver waits or times the pickup to avoid the worst of it
- Evening: Back to your hotel, or onward to a watch party or fan event
For a Hoima match day, plan for a 4–5 hour drive each way (or an overnight stay in Hoima), and lock in your vehicle and driver well ahead of time given the limited local transport options.
Renting a Car in Uganda: What to Look For
When comparing Uganda car rental options for AFCON 2027, fans should consider:
- Vehicle type: Sedans and SUVs work well for Kampala; something more robust helps for the Hoima route.
- Driver included or not: For a first visit to Uganda during a high-traffic event, a driver is worth the extra cost.
- Airport transfer options: Entebbe International Airport is roughly 40km from central Kampala — arrange pickup in advance so your trip starts smoothly.
- Multi-day or full-tournament packages: Booking transport for your whole stay in one package is usually more cost-effective than arranging rides day by day.
- Group vehicles: Travelling with a supporters’ group? A minibus with a driver often works out cheaper per person than several separate cars or repeated ride-hailing trips.
Beyond the Football: Making the Most of Your Trip
AFCON 2027 is also a chance to see Uganda itself. With your own vehicle and driver, side trips become easy to fit around your match schedule — a day trip to Jinja and the source of the Nile, a boat excursion on Lake Victoria, or a short safari detour if your itinerary allows. None of these are realistic to arrange last-minute on public transport, but they’re straightforward with a private rental already sorted for your stay.
Final Word
AFCON 2027 is a historic moment for Uganda and East Africa — the first three-nation AFCON, and the region’s first tournament in over five decades. Fans who plan their transport early will spend the tournament watching football and exploring the country, not stuck negotiating rides on match day.
Whether you need airport pickup, stadium transfers, a Kampala–Hoima road trip, or a driver for your entire stay, sorting a reliable car rental in advance is the single best thing you can do to make your AFCON 2027 trip to Uganda stress-free.
To book a rental car in Uganda for traveling around during AFCON 2027, simply contact us now by emailing to [email protected] or calling +256-700135510.
