Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are working on a joint visa that would allow football fans to travel freely between the three countries during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The tournament, scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027, will be the first edition of AFCON hosted across three countries. The co-hosts agreed in April to work towards a common visa framework, and Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni endorsed the idea in July.
How it could work
Under the proposal, a single visa would let supporters attend matches in all three host countries without separate applications. Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga, chairperson of the East African Community Council of Ministers, said in October that the arrangement was being developed. Final rules and implementation details have not yet been set.
Tourism officials have expressed hope that the visa could outlive the tournament and become a permanent regional tourism product.
The hard part
Officials acknowledge that roads, hotels and border systems must be ready for thousands of visitors. Uganda has disbursed funds to upgrade accommodation in Hoima and is working in Gulu and Lira, while Tanzania’s Arusha stadium is among the venues being prepared. The three governments must also agree on arrangements that work at their borders.
For Kenya, the plan offers a chance to showcase East Africa as a single destination, provided the infrastructure is delivered on time.
