Peter Ogwang pledges continuity, talent development and AFCON 2027 delivery after reappointment

By Emmanuel Sekago

The State Minister for Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, has assured stakeholders that Uganda’s sports development agenda will continue uninterrupted following his reappointment to the position, with nurturing young talent and successful delivery of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) preparations among his top priorities.

Speaking to the media shortly after successfully appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee for vetting, Ogwang thanked President Yoweri Museveni for once again entrusting him with the sports portfolio and pledged to build on the progress made during his previous term in office.

“I want to assure all stakeholders that we are going to start from where we stopped because we want to ensure that our children’s talents are nurtured and developed,” Ogwang said.

“First of all, I thank the President for reappointing me in the sector. What awaits me is AFCON 2027. I want to confirm to the country that we are on course as far as that project is concerned. Works in as far as infrastructure developments in this project are concerned are ongoing. Namboole is undergoing the second phase in line with CAF guidance,” he noted.

Ogwang, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Ngariam County, emphasized that his new term will be guided by the twin objectives of improving sports development and ensuring quality education opportunities for Ugandan youth.

The minister was first appointed State Minister for Sports in July 2022, replacing Hon. Hamson Obua. Since then, he has earned praise from several sports stakeholders for his open-door leadership style, accessibility, accountability, and hands-on approach to addressing issues affecting sports federations and athletes.

Providing an update on Uganda’s AFCON 2027 infrastructure projects, Ogwang revealed that the Federation of Uganda Football Associations (FUFA) had committed to handing over Kadiba Grounds by the end of this month, while construction and rehabilitation works at Kyambogo University and Makerere University training grounds continue steadily.

“I want to confirm that the contractors, the UPDF Engineering Brigade, are ready to take on the mantle,” he said.

“With the Hoima cluster, the contractor is already on the ground rectifying the issues raised by CAF at Hoima City Stadium, while the training grounds works have been undertaken by the UPDF Engineering Brigade. The improvement of attendant roads, hospitals, and the airport terminal in line with CAF guidance is also ongoing,” Ogwang added.

He further disclosed that works at Sir Tito Owiny Training Ground remain the only project facing delays due to unresolved land issues, although the government is actively working to address the matter.

Uganda is co-hosting the 2027 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations alongside Kenya and Tanzania under the PAMOJA 2027 arrangement, making infrastructure delivery one of the country’s most significant sporting assignments in recent history.

Sports stakeholders who spoke to WallnetNews Digital welcomed Ogwang’s reappointment, citing the continuity it provides at a critical stage of AFCON preparations and ongoing sports sector reforms.

Many expressed optimism that his experience over the past four years will help accelerate infrastructure projects, strengthen governance within sports federations, and support athlete development programmes across the country.

With AFCON 2027 preparations entering a decisive phase and Uganda also preparing athletes for the 2026 Commonwealth Games and future Olympic cycles, expectations remain high that Ogwang’s second term will deliver tangible results for both elite and grassroots sports development.

As Uganda positions itself for one of the biggest sporting events ever hosted in the region, the Sports Minister’s pledge to continue nurturing talent while overseeing critical infrastructure projects will undoubtedly be closely watched by athletes, federations, and sports enthusiasts across the country.