Uganda Cranes Find New Home in Hoima as Fans Turn Up in Large Numbers

The Uganda Cranes received tremendous support from Ugandan football fans on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, as the national team played its first international match at its new home, Hoima City Stadium.

Fans turned up in large numbers, many donning different national team jerseys, as the Cranes hosted Libya in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Pamoja qualifiers.

The Group H encounter was played at Hoima City Stadium in Hoima District, marking a significant occasion for both the national team and the newly completed facility.

Construction of Hoima City Stadium began on September 1, 2024, and was completed in December 2025. Since then, the facility has hosted several international football matches.

Among the games played at the stadium was a CAF Confederation Cup tie involving Mogadishu City and Uganda’s Kitara FC, with Kitara winning both the first and second legs.

The stadium is expected to play a major role in Ugandan football, particularly as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 AFCON tournament.

Uganda Preparing for AFCON 2027

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, also known as AFCON Pamoja, will be jointly hosted by Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in July 2027.

The three host nations have already secured qualification for the final tournament. Nevertheless, they are participating in the qualifying campaign as part of their preparations for the continental competition.

The matches provide the teams with an opportunity to assess players, build squad cohesion and gain valuable competitive experience ahead of the tournament.

Uganda is in Group H alongside Tunisia, Libya and Botswana.

The Cranes went into Tuesday’s match with one point from their opening game and were looking to improve their position as the qualifying campaign progressed.

With AFCON 2027 approaching, the Uganda Cranes will be hoping to use the qualifying matches to strengthen their squad and prepare for the challenge of playing on home soil during the continental tournament.

For fans in Hoima, the arrival of the Cranes represents more than just another football match. It marks the beginning of a new chapter for the national team and brings international football closer to supporters in western Uganda.