Uganda sets regional standard for CHAN 2024 matchday security
Each matchday has featured a night fixture kicking off at 8pm and ending at 10pm local time, a schedule that, in the past, would have drawn security concerns from fans.
Steward arrest an invader who jumped onto the pitch during the Uganda vs Niger Game. PHOTO: Johnson Were
By Yekoyada Saaka
Journalists @New Vision
Uganda who are co-hosting the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 with Kenya and Tanzania, have successfully staged three Group C matchdays at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Each matchday has featured a night fixture kicking off at 8pm and ending at 10pm local time, a schedule that, in the past, would have drawn security concerns from fans.
For years, night matches at Namboole were dominated by incidents of robbery, mugging, and assault on fans walking home from the stadium. This bad history had raised fears of low turnout for CHAN 2024-night games.
However, the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and stadium management have made significant strides in addressing these concerns whereby they have deployed heavy security and restored public confidence.
Security personnel from the Uganda Police Forces and Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) have been stationed in large numbers along all access routes to the stadium.
Inside the venue, the upgraded security systems ranging from digital ticket scanning to thorough entry checks have helped maintain order and prevent unruly behaviours.
In the past, poor security allowed some fans to force their way in without tickets, but such incidents have so far not been witnessed during CHAN 2024.
While some fans may still face risks after leaving the stadium vicinity, the premises themselves have remained safe and orderly.
Notably, there have been no reports of stampedes, pitch invasions, or major security breaches, a point of pride for Uganda as disciplined and organised hosts. Fans have called for similar measures to be maintained during future Uganda Cranes matches.
This contrasts sharply with co-hosts Kenya, who were fined sh62.2m by CAF following security lapses at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi during their 1-0 win over Morocco last Saturday.
Home fans reportedly stormed the gates without tickets, clashing with security and overwhelming the stadium, which was already at full capacity. As punishment, CAF has reduced attendance for Kenya’s next game against Zambia to just only 27000 fans of Kasarani’s 48,000-seat capacity, a decision that has left many Kenyan fans fuming.
With CHAN 2024 still ongoing, Uganda’s security success at Namboole stands as a model for safe, fan-friendly football hosting in the region.