Speaker of the National parliamnet Jacob Marksons Oboth-oboth has invited British soccer fans to visit East Africa for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) during a reception hosted by the British High Commission in Uganda.
Oboth extended the invitation Thursday evening at a reception hosted by British High Commissioner to Uganda Lisa Chesney to mark the official birthday of King Charles III under the theme “Sport is GREAT.”
“I suspect if we organized a match between Uganda and the UK, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Ugandans volunteering to play for England,” he said, confessing his own loyalty to Manchester United “despite what is currently happening at the club.”
He said it was time for the British to “return the favor” by visiting Uganda during AFCON and supporting African football, after generations of Ugandans supporting the English Premier League.
The continental tournament will be co-hosted by Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya in 2027, and Britain is known to have one of the world’s most fanatical football followings.
Uganda has already signed a destination partner sponsorship with the Confederation of African Football to promote the country’s tourism potential during the tournament.
Oboth, who was also the chief guest, lauded the role of sport in creating social and transnational bonds.
“Sport brings people together and shared opportunities. It also gives communities a reason to celebrate their shared humanity,” he said.
He emphasized his point by telling the story of how football temporarily united warring countries during World War I.
“We all recall what came to be known as the Christmas Truce of 1914 when British and German soldiers on parts of the Western Front stopped fighting, exchanged greetings and played football in no-man’s-land,” he said.
“For a moment, those who had been enemies recognized one another as fellow human beings. That is the power of sport,” he added.
“Therefore, come and explore Uganda during AFCON. Come and see the whole of Africa in one place and see what our country has to offer in terms of tourism, investment, infrastructure and empower our talented youth,” he said.
The speaker further revealed that on the same day as the king’s birthday, Parliament had considered a motion paying tribute to Ugandan athletes who represented the country at the Commonwealth Games and the Paralympic Games, to stress the House’s commitment to promoting sport in the country.
He revealed that Parliament has already prepared well ahead of the forthcoming East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games due next month as another example of sport strengthening regional integration.
Oboth thanked the British High Commission for enabling and facilitating his recent visit to the United Kingdom, where he met the speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle.
“The visit provided an opportunity to reconnect with the parliamentary traditions and culture of the Commonwealth. What better place to do so than the House of Commons?” he said.
Chesney, who accompanied the speaker on the visit, joked that when “Mr. Speaker met Mr. Speaker” it was “a very confusing meeting,” but said the two “got on tremendously.”
Chesney said sport is a shared language between the two countries. She celebrated Uganda’s sporting year, including the women’s rugby sevens team becoming African champions and Uganda’s athletes at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
She said Uganda this year became the 26th nation to join the Invictus Games community, and only the second in Africa. She added that more than 2,200 coaches, referees and educators have been trained through the Premier Skills program, reaching over 25,000 young people.
Outlining the wider partnership, she said U.K. investment vehicles hold a portfolio of around 1 billion pounds in Uganda, with another 1 billion pounds in the pipeline, financing projects such as Kabalega Airport, power transmission and tourism roads. She also highlighted health cooperation, Ugandan nurses working in Britain’s National Health Service, and thousands of Commonwealth and Chevening scholars.
“Partnership is not one player keeping the ball. It’s about knowing when to pass. It’s about having a shared goal,” she said.
Commonwealth Games para swimming silver medalist Husnah Kukundakwe also addressed guests, thanking the High Commission for supporting her journey.
