Sports in Uganda are deeply ingrained in the nation’s culture and provide an exciting avenue for tourism. Whether it’s the exhilarating energy of football, the pride of Uganda’s Olympic athletes, or the thrill of adventure sports, Uganda offers a diverse range of sporting experiences for visitors to explore.
With Uganda set to co-host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027, alongside Kenya and Tanzania, sports tourism in the country is expected to reach new heights. This page takes you through Uganda’s most popular sports, major events, and how you can be part of the excitement.
Uganda’s football culture is vibrant, with passionate fans and competitive leagues. The country’s national football team, The Uganda Cranes, has a storied history in continental competitions, and its participation in the AFCON qualifiers has energized the nation. Uganda will soon be at the heart of African football as a co-host of AFCON 2027, the biggest football tournament in Africa, along with Kenya and Tanzania. This major event is expected to attract football enthusiasts from across the continent and beyond, making Uganda a prime destination for sports tourists.
Uganda will showcase world-class stadiums, including the planned renovation of Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, a key venue for the AFCON 2027 tournament.
Mandela national Stadium:
Location (Kampala), Capacity (45,202), Sports (Football, Athletics, Concerts).
Key Events:
Location (Kitende, near Entebbe), Capacity (25,000)
Key Events:
Location (Kitende, near Entebbe), Capacity (25,000)
Key Events:
Legends Grounds: Location (Kampala), Capacity (5,000), Sports (Rugby)
Key Events:
Location (Kampala), Capacity (2,000), Sports (Cricket).
Key Events:
Location (Kampala), Capacity (8,000), Sports (Football, Athletics).
Key Events:
Location (Jinja), Capacity (2,500), Sports (Rugby, Football).
Key Events:
Location (Jinja), Capacity (12,000), Sports (Football, Athletics).
Key Events:
Location (Mbale), Capacity (10,000), Sports (Football, Athletics).
Key Events:
Location (Masaka), Capacity (2,500), Sports (Rugby, Football).
Key Events:
Uganda has a proud history of participation in the Olympic Games, with some of its athletes achieving global recognition. Uganda’s track and field stars have won several medals, with the most recent success coming from Joshua Cheptegei, Jacob Kiplimo and Peruth Chemutai. Their victories have placed Uganda firmly on the world athletics map, and their stories continue to inspire both locals and visitors alike.
Joshua Cheptegei
Achievements:
2x Current World Record Holder (10,000/5000m)
2x Olympic Champion
3x World Champion
1x Olympic Games Silver Medalist
Jocob Kiplimo
Achievements:
1x Current World Record Holder
1x Olympic Games Bronze Medalist
1x World Championship Bronze Medalist
2x Commonwealth Games Winner
Peruth Chemutai
Achievements:
1x Olympic Champion
1x Olympic Games Silver Medalist
2x Top 8 World Championships
1x All-Africa Games Silver Medalist
Other athletic achievements
Dorcus Inzikuru:
Inzikuru was Uganda’s first world champion in athletics winning gold in the women’s 3000 meters steeplechase at the 2005 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.Stephen
Stephen Kiprotich:
Kiprotich won Uganda’s first Olympic gold medal in athletics at the 2012 London Olympics in the men’s marathon.
Halima Nakaayi
Nakaayi won gold in the women’s 800 meters at the 2019 World Athletics Championships held in Doha, Qatar, securing Uganda’s first-ever gold medal at the championships.
Uganda’s future in athletics is incredibly bright, with rising talents, state-of-the-art training facilities, and growing international recognition. The nation has already made a mark in long-distance running, and new investments in sports infrastructure are set to take Ugandan athletics to the next level.
At the heart of this development is the Teryet High Altitude Training Center, a game-changing facility that is shaping the next generation of world-class athletes.
Other Sports Uganda participates in
The Uganda national basketball team, known as the Uganda Silverbacks, competes in international tournaments representing the country’s growing basketball prowess. With a roster of talented players from both domestic leagues and abroad, they aim to make their mark in African basketball, showcasing skill, determination, and the spirit of Ugandan basketball enthusiasts nationwide.
The Uganda National Netball team (She Cranes) has moved to sixth position in the latest rankings released by World Netball . This reflects the team’s steady progress in form on international stages based on their recent performances. She Cranes’ progress to the sixth sees them surpass Malawi in the rankings.
Planning your trip to Uganda
