By : Innocent Atuganyira

The National Council of Sports (NCS) has launched the construction of the Shs17 billion Sir Tito Winyi Sports Academy at Sir Tito Winyi Secondary School in Bulindi Town Council, Hoima District, as Uganda continues to expand sports infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The academy is being constructed by the UPDF Engineering Brigade and is expected to be completed within six months.

The project will be implemented in two phases, with the first phase expected to provide training facilities for teams participating in AFCON 2027, while the second phase will be undertaken at a later stage.

The academy will sit on 100 acres of land procured by the National Council of Sports from Bunyoro Kitara Diocese.

According to Ambrose Tashobya, Chairperson of the National Council of Sports, the facility will comprise four training pitches, including a main pitch to be used during AFCON, an artificial turf pitch and two natural-grass pitches.

The new academy adds to a growing portfolio of sports facilities in Hoima as the district prepares to play a key role in Uganda’s hosting of AFCON 2027.

Hoima is already home to the newly constructed Hoima City Stadium, a 20,000-seater multi-purpose facility built specifically as one of Uganda’s AFCON 2027 competition venues. The stadium was handed over to the National Council of Sports in December 2025 and subsequently commissioned by President Yoweri Museveni.

The stadium, constructed by Turkish company SUMMA Construction, includes a football pitch, indoor sports arena, swimming pool, modern changing rooms, basketball and volleyball courts, media facilities and other supporting infrastructure.

Uganda is scheduled to co-host AFCON 2027 with Kenya and Tanzania, with Hoima City Stadium and Mandela National Stadium, Namboole, designated to host tournament matches.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Peter Seiku Kidemuka, the Project Manager from the UPDF Engineering Brigade, says the engineers are ready to complete the Sir Tito Winyi Sports Academy within the stipulated six months.

Dr. Patrick Ogwel, the General Secretary of the National Council of Sports, says the academy will be the first of its kind in Uganda and will provide modern facilities for developing and nurturing sports talent.

On his part, Rev. Canon Francis Barongo, the Diocesan Secretary of Bunyoro Kitara Diocese, says the church has maintained a strong partnership with government in implementing development projects, prompting the diocese to provide land for the sports academy.

The development of the Sir Tito Winyi Sports Academy, alongside Hoima City Stadium and other planned training facilities, is expected to strengthen Hoima’s position as a major sports hub and contribute to Uganda’s preparations for hosting AFCON 2027.