President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has officially launched the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, unveiling the Uganda Cranes’ official CHAN 2024 jersey, the tournament’s organizing committee logo, and the fully functional official CHAN 2024 website. The grand ceremony was held Friday at the Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
The President was accompanied by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Hon. Janet Kataaha Museveni, who also delivered remarks. The event drew key figures from the sports fraternity, government officials, and football legends.
In his keynote address, President Museveni emphasized the multi-dimensional importance of football. He highlighted four major benefits:
1. To Individuals: Football promotes physical health by building stamina, fostering teamwork, sharpening skills, reducing body fats, and relaxing muscles.
2. To the Country: Football serves as a powerful tool for entertainment and national pride. It projects Uganda to the global stage. Citing historical examples, Museveni referenced the Kenyan athlete Kipchoge Hezekiah Keino who won the 1500m race at the 1968 Mexico Summer Olympics and Uganda’s own John Akii-Bua who set a world record in the 400m hurdles at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
He recalled how, due to Uganda’s under-preparedness then, officials could not find a recording of the national anthem to play after Akii-Bua’s victory.
3. To Business: Football creates a vast platform for advertising and marketing, with companies using popular footballers to promote their brands and products.
4. To the Youth: The sport provides a constructive outlet for energy, discipline, and ambition while reducing youth idleness.
President Museveni further applauded the East African Community (EAC) for its spirit of unity in co-hosting CHAN 2024, noting that the collaboration between Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania reflects a broader message of regional brotherhood.
He also stated that, for years, the government has indirectly supported sports through peacekeeping, education, and healthcare—especially immunization programs that protect and preserve young talent.
On the infrastructural front, the President praised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for pushing Uganda to upgrade its football facilities. As a result, Uganda has seen significant progress in stadium construction and refurbishment, including Mandela National Stadium (Namboole), Nakivubo Stadium, Akii-Bua Stadium, Hoima Stadium, Mutesa II Stadium, and FUFA Technical Centre – Kadiba.
Among the legendary footballers present were Mujib Kasule, Hassan Wasswa, Tony Mawejje, Edgar Watson, and Ibrahim Sekagya. Dignitaries included FUFA President Eng. Moses Magogo, CHAN/AFCON LOC Chairperson Denis Mugimba, Busoga Kingdom Sports Minister Prince Main Bbosa Nkono, Minister of State for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa, and Vice President H.E. Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo.
In her remarks, the First Lady thanked the government and regional partners for their commitment to ensuring that CHAN 2024 is successfully held in East Africa. She warmly welcomed the teams in Group C—where Uganda will play all group-stage matches at Namboole—and urged them to feel at home.
Also speaking at the event, the Secretary General of the East African Community Veronica Mueni Nduva expressed optimism about the tournament’s long-term benefits. She noted that CHAN 2024 will create thousands of jobs for youth and spur regional development. She confirmed that East Africa would facilitate free movement of fans across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania for the duration of the tournament. She also wished the Uganda Cranes success in their opening fixture against Algeria on August 4th at Namboole.
The 2024 CHAN tournament officially kicks off on August 2, 2025, at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania, where the hosts will face Burkina Faso in the opening match. First held in 2009, CHAN focuses exclusively on players who compete in their home country leagues and is the second most prestigious football tournament on the African continent. This marks the first time the competition will be jointly hosted by three nations—a historic milestone for African football.
