As Uganda prepares to host the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 from August 2nd to 29th, 2025, the Uganda Police Force, in collaboration with other agencies, has released a detailed traffic management plan to ensure safety and smooth movement throughout the tournament. The championship will bring together teams from across Africa, football fans, officials from FUFA, CAF, and FIFA, and other stakeholders to celebrate one of the continent’s most exciting football events.
The main goal of the traffic plan is to provide safe, organized, and secure transport routes for all participants, including players, officials, and fans. The plan covers areas such as hotels, training grounds, stadiums, key roads, parking areas, diversions, and security threats, with clear steps on how these will be handled during the tournament.
Accommodation and Training Areas
Teams will be staying at some of Kampala’s top hotels, including Munyonyo Speke Resort, FUFA Hotel Kisasi, Serena Hotel Kampala, Mestil Hotel, Golden Tulip, Skyz Hotel Naguru, and Four Points by Sheraton. These hotels will be linked to training venues such as Mandela National Stadium Annex Namboole, Wankulukuku Stadium, KISU Grounds in Bukoto, FUFA Grounds in Mengo, and Kyambogo University Grounds.
Main Stadium
All tournament matches will be played at the Mandela National Stadium Namboole. The routes from each hotel to this stadium have been carefully planned to avoid delays and ensure maximum security.
Routes and Tactical Bases
To handle traffic better, the main roads have been divided into sections, each with tactical command bases at key points such as Katabi, Kajjansi, Busega, Bwaise, and Mulago Roundabouts. These bases will help monitor and manage traffic flow, with quick response teams ready to handle any incidents.
Alternative Routes and Diversions
In case of heavy traffic or emergencies, alternative routes have been identified. These include roads through Kajansi, Kibuye, Clock Tower, and Jinja Road. If necessary, diversions will be made, such as redirecting heavy trucks away from Kireka and Naalya, especially during game hours. Some roads near stadiums like Kireka Trading Centre will be closed to vehicles, allowing only pedestrian access for security reasons.
Parking and Access Control
Parking spaces near the stadium and training venues will only be accessible to those with official accreditation. VIP guests will have dedicated parking areas, while general parking will be managed by traffic officers on site.
Possible Threats and Safety Measures
Authorities are prepared to handle possible issues such as traffic jams, accidents, vehicle breakdowns, flooding, or reckless driving. To deal with these, over 700 traffic officers will be deployed in shifts to cover main routes, junctions, fuel stations, access roads, and stadium areas. Recovery vehicles will be placed at strategic points like Clock Tower, Kalerwe, CPS Kampala, Bwaise, and Busega to quickly remove any broken-down vehicles or clear accident scenes.
Execution Phases
The traffic plan will be implemented in three phases:
- Before the tournament: Setting up parking areas, preparing logistics, and public awareness campaigns.
- During the tournament: Managing daily traffic, responding to emergencies, and ensuring safe movement along key roads.
- After the tournament: Reviewing the entire operation and making a final report.
Agencies Involved
The plan is a joint effort by several government and non-government bodies. These include the Uganda Police Force (UPF), Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), Special Forces Command (SFC), KCCA, FUFA, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Health, Red Cross, and JIC. Each agency will assign liaison officers to coordinate operations in real time. Communication will mainly be done through VHF radios with traffic officers using the Scania base call sign.
The overall commander of the traffic plan is Director of Traffic and Road Safety, supported by his deputy and KMP Traffic Commander SSP Arinaitwe Godwin. With everything in place, Uganda is promising a smooth, safe, and enjoyable experience for all attending the CHAN 2024 tournament.
As excitement builds up, Ugandans are urged to stay informed, follow traffic instructions, and cooperate with security agencies to ensure the success of this historic football event.
