Updated
Football is Uganda’s most popular sport, followed passionately through the national team, the Uganda Cranes, and the English Premier League, which fills bars every weekend. Uganda is also strong in athletics, with Olympic champions such as John Akii-Bua, Stephen Kiprotich and Joshua Cheptegei, and in netball, rugby sevens and boxing. Watching a match in a local bar or stadium is one of the liveliest ways to share Ugandan life.
Football
The Uganda Cranes reached the Africa Cup of Nations final in 1978, their best result, and returned to the tournament in 2017, 2019 and 2025 after a long gap. Uganda is co-hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Kenya and Tanzania. Local clubs such as KCCA, SC Villa and Express have loyal followings, and matches against Kenya are especially fiercely contested. But on weekends, many fans crowd into video halls and bars to watch English clubs, with Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool supporters arguing loudly. See our guide to Kampala nightlife.
Athletics
John Akii-Bua won Uganda’s first Olympic gold in the 400 m hurdles in Munich in 1972, in a world record. Stephen Kiprotich won the marathon at the London 2012 Olympics, and Joshua Cheptegei won 5,000 m gold and 10,000 m silver at Tokyo, then 10,000 m gold in Paris in 2024, while Peruth Chemutai won the steeplechase in Tokyo. Many top runners come from Kapchorwa on the slopes of Mount Elgon, where high-altitude training camps attract athletes. See our guide to Mount Elgon and Sipi Falls.
Rugby, netball and boxing
Rugby, especially sevens, has a strong following in Kampala, with the national sevens team competing internationally. The national netball team, the She Cranes, is one of Africa’s best and has played at the Netball World Cup. Boxing has a long tradition, with Ugandan boxers winning Olympic and Commonwealth medals. See our guide to events and holidays in Uganda.
Joining in as a visitor
Ask your guide which team they support; football is an easy conversation starter. Big Cranes matches at Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, outside Kampala, have a festive atmosphere. Running events such as the Kampala marathon welcome visitors, and some lodges near the parks host informal football with local teams. The gorilla permit costs US$800, or US$600 in April, May and November. See our guide to Ugandan community values.
Frequently asked questions
Football, both the national team and the English Premier League.
The Uganda Cranes.
John Akii-Bua, Stephen Kiprotich, Joshua Cheptegei and Peruth Chemutai.
Yes, the 2027 tournament, jointly with Kenya and Tanzania.
