By The Uganda Cranes marked their first senior men’s international fixture at the newly built Hoima City Stadium with a 1-0 victory over Libya on Tuesday night, climbing to the top of Group H in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
Arnold Vula was the hero of the night, heading home Allan Okello’s free-kick in first-half stoppage time to give Uganda the decisive goal on his international debut.
The victory takes Uganda to four points from two matches, following last week’s 1-1 draw away to Tunisia. Botswana and Tunisia sit on two points each, while Libya have one.
The result also gave Hoima a memorable introduction to international football. The Cranes played under floodlights before a lively home crowd, as the Bunyoro city hosted a senior men’s national team fixture outside Kampala for the first time.
Vula’s goal capped a night in which Uganda’s new-look squad made an immediate impression. The forward, who plays for Belgian side Beerschot, was among the new players brought into the Cranes setup as the technical team continues to strengthen the squad.
Captain Denis Onyango was also called upon to make important saves, including a close-range stop in the first half, while Libya missed a late chance to level the contest.
For Hoima, however, the night was about more than three points. It was the arrival of international football at a new national sporting venue, with the Cranes leaving the city with a win and four points from their opening two matches.
Uganda will next face Botswana in Hoima on November 11, 2026.
