Hoima city given one week to decide on handing over Booma Playground for AFCON training facility

Hoima: Hoima City Council has been given a one-week ultimatum to decide whether it is ready to hand over the Booma playground to the National Council of Sports (NCS) for redevelopment into a training ground for AFCON players.

The directive was issued this afternoon by the State Minister for Education and Sports, Hon. Peter Ogwang, during a meeting with city councillors, members of the sports fraternity, and other stakeholders held at the Hoima City headquarters on Monday.

Ogwang revealed that the ministry wrote to the city on July 1st this year, requesting the handover of the land title before the commencement of the UGX 13.2 billion construction project, which is to be undertaken by the UPDF Engineering Brigade as provided for under government policy.

He warned that if the city is unwilling to release the land, NCS will relocate the training facility to another area where it is more appreciated. Ogwang urged leaders to set aside politics and focus on the common good, stressing that Hoima stands to gain significantly from the training ground and the planned stadium.

Central Ward Woman Councillor Monday Margaret said she does not oppose the project; however, she insisted that the public must be consulted since councillors are merely custodians of the Booma land. She questioned what guarantees the community would have that the ground would remain accessible for public use, noting that many residents depend on it for relaxation and recreation.

Responding to her concerns, NCS Chairperson Ambrose Tashobya and Minister Ogwang assured councillors that the applicable laws are now very clear, emphasizing that the land cannot be subdivided or mortgaged once handed over for sports development.

Hoima City Mayor Brian Kaboyo appealed to councillors to maintain unity and not allow a major development project capable of boosting business and transforming the city to slip away due to internal disagreements.

General-Purpose Committee Chairperson Patrick Mugabi, Hoima Football Association Chairman Gabriel Dema, Abubakar Busobozi, and Mary Rubirantwale, the Councillor for Older Persons, were among those who supported handing over the land title, on condition that the public use of Booma ground remains unchanged.

Hoima City Town Clerk Godfrey B. Kiseka said the council will, within a week, produce a minute approving the handover. He added that the city plans to purchase land for a new landfill and acquire additional land in both city divisions to replace Booma ground once it is upgraded for AFCON training purposes.

Assistant RCC for Hoima East Division Barnabas Tugume urged councillors to support the project, warning that without full cooperation, the newly constructed stadium could become a “white elephant.”

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