In a significant diplomatic and developmental stride, President Yoweri Museveni held a meeting with Ukrainian Ambassador Andrii Pravednyk to bolster economic and security cooperation, while the Ugandan government signed a contract with Turkish firm M/S SUMMA to construct a major stadium for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and H.E. Andrii Pravednyk, the Ambassador of Ukraine to Uganda, convened at State House, Entebbe, to discuss various areas of mutual interest.
The meeting highlighted the commitment of both nations to enhancing economic cooperation, trade relations, and security collaboration. This courtesy call is a testament to the strengthening diplomatic ties between Uganda and Ukraine, aiming to explore new avenues for bilateral cooperation.
"Uganda and Ukraine share a common vision for economic growth and stability," President Museveni remarked during the meeting.
"Our discussions today pave the way for future collaborations that will benefit both our nations."Ambassador Pravednyk echoed these sentiments, stating, "
Ukraine is keen on expanding its presence in East Africa, and our partnership with Uganda is a crucial step in that direction.
We look forward to deepening our economic and security ties.
In a separate but equally significant development, Uganda took a major step forward in its preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by signing a contract with the Turkish construction company M/S SUMMA.
The contract, signed on June 7th, 2024, at State House Nakasero, involves the construction of a 20,000-seater multi-purpose stadium in Hoima, which is expected to be a key venue for the tournament that Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.
The signing ceremony was presided over by the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Mrs. Janet Museveni, who acknowledged the collaborative efforts that have led to this milestone.
"Today marks the culmination of the tireless efforts of various people from both the government and the private sector who have gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that we begin the process of developing sports infrastructure in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations 2027," she said.
The Mrs. Museveni expressed her gratitude to President Museveni, the Prime Minister, the Legislature, the Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), the family of the late Dr. James Rujumba, and the business community for their invaluable support. She highlighted the critical role this stadium will play in showcasing Uganda’s capability to host international sporting events.
The Hoima stadium project, set to be completed within 18 months and ready by December 2025, will be supervised by the Ministry of Works and Transport, with support from the recently inaugurated Africa Cup of Nations Sub-Committee on Infrastructure. This initiative underscores Uganda's commitment to investing in sports infrastructure, which is crucial for the successful hosting of AFCON 2027.
The dual developments of reinforcing diplomatic ties with Ukraine and advancing sports infrastructure for AFCON 2027 reflect Uganda’s strategic focus on fostering international partnerships and promoting national development.
As Uganda gears up for the continental football event, these initiatives signal a promising future for both its diplomatic relations and its sports industry.
