Uganda has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2031 African Games after defeating Nigeria in a competitive bidding process!
The decision was confirmed during the Extraordinary Session of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Youth, Culture and Sports (STC-YCS5), which was held virtually this week.
Uganda was officially designated host of the 15th edition of the African Games, a development that is expected to elevate the country’s profile on the continental sporting stage and provide a significant boost to sports infrastructure and tourism.
Nigeria’s bid, however, failed to impress the evaluation process after reportedly containing numerous errors and inconsistencies.
Observers indicated that sections of the proposal appeared to have been copied from the country’s unsuccessful bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, with some reference numbers and details left unchanged.
The mistakes raised concerns about the preparedness and credibility of Nigeria’s bid to organize Africa’s premier multi-sport event.
In contrast, Uganda’s successful proposal demonstrated the country’s growing capacity to host major international sporting competitions.
The awarding comes at a time when Uganda is investing heavily in sports infrastructure ahead of the 2027 AFCON.
The bid which was fronted by Sports Minister Peter Ogwang and NCS General Secretary Bernard Ogwel, centres around the infrastructure of Hoima City Stadium and Namboole Stadium.
The African Games, formally known as the All-Africa Games or the Pan African Games, are a continental multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the African Union with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa and the Association of African Sports Confederation.
The games were first held in 1965 in Brazzaville, Congo.
It will be the first time Uganda hosts the event, and the second they are hosted in East Africa since Kenya hosted in 1987.
At the recent 2023 African games in Accra, Ghana, held in 2024, Uganda won 20 medals including four gold. The gold came in Rugby Sevens both men and women, Charles Kagimu (Cycling) and the Badminton women’s double by Husina Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi.
The African Union meeting also adopted the Revised African Games Fundamental Regulations, which are intended to strengthen governance, transparency and operational efficiency in the organization of future Games.
Ministers attending the session reaffirmed their commitment to international anti-doping standards, emphasizing the need for timely contributions to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and continued efforts to promote clean sport across the continent.
The meeting concluded with member states renewing their commitment to youth empowerment, cultural exchange and the use of sport as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 aspirations.
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