Hoima City grapples with severe flooding amid heavy rains
“After sensitization, we will move to enforcement. Anyone planning to operate or construct near wetlands will need to obtain official permission from the city authorities,” he stated.
Hoima: Hoima City is currently experiencing widespread flooding in homes, roads, and workplaces as heavy rains continue to pound the region.
Robert Byaruhanga, the Head of City Natural Resources and Environment, acknowledged that some parts of the city have become prone to flooding whenever it rains. He attributed the worsening situation to human activities that have degraded the environment particularly the encroachment on wetlands and riverbanks.
“Wetlands act as natural sponges that absorb excess rainwater. Unfortunately, this mechanism has been destroyed due to encroachment, which is now leading to the flooding we are witnessing,” Byaruhanga explained.
City authorities have identified several activities that contribute to the problem, including brick laying, car washing, farming, and construction near or within wetland areas.
To combat the flooding crisis, Byaruhanga said the city plans to launch a community sensitization campaign to educate locals on the dangers of encroaching on wetlands and riverbanks.
“After sensitization, we will move to enforcement. Anyone planning to operate or construct near wetlands will need to obtain official permission from the city authorities,” he stated.
He further encouraged residents to build homes with proper drainage systems to help reduce flood risk and pledged that the city will work with affected residents to find long-term solutions.
Patrick Mugabi, Chairperson of the Hoima City Building Control Committee, echoed the concerns and confirmed that some flood-prone areas are actually wetlands where people have gone ahead to construct buildings in some cases, with approved plans.
“The situation is made worse by interference from some politicians and officials who influence decisions and permit illegal construction just because they know the people involved,” Mugabi said.
He added that the city will soon begin a crackdown on illegal structures in wetlands, warning that such buildings will be ordered to vacate.“If we want to stop flooding in homes, we must stop building in wetlands. That’s the root cause,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, drivers operating in the Hoima City Taxi and Bus Park are calling for urgent and tangible interventions to address the park’s deteriorating condition, which they say is marred by large potholes and poor drainage.
Harmfrey Mugisa, the Chairperson of the Hoima Taxi and Bus Park, expressed deep frustration with local leaders who have consistently failed to fulfill promises of standardizing the park infrastructure.
“Hoima is a city, and it deserves better. The condition of the park doesn’t reflect that status,” Mugisa said, highlighting the stark contrast between the poor condition of the park and the well-maintained nearby roads such as Fort Road, Wright Road, and Kwebiha Road.
He added that the muddy and potholed grounds of the park present a poor image to both visitors and residents.
Brian Mujuni, Chairperson of the Lorry Drivers, stresses the need for both cleanliness and long-term modernization of the park. “As an oil city, Hoima should maintain high standards. Keeping the park clean and functional should be a priority,” Mujuni stated.
Frank Wobusobozi, Vice Chairperson of the Kyangwaari Stage in Hoima, said the park’s current state is a result of delays in its planned upgrade and urged authorities to act swiftly and effectively.
In a recent statement, Hoima City Mayor Brian Kaboyo acknowledged the concerns and revealed that the park is expected to be included in the upcoming phase of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program in the current financial year.
“For now, we are planning to temporarily improve the condition of the park by applying murram while we await full standardization under USMID,” Kaboyo said.
Despite this assurance, drivers insist that temporary fixes are not enough and demand a clear and expedited timeline for a complete overhaul of the park infrastructure.
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