Hoima councilors clash over missing Ambulance

Hoima: Hoima West Division councilors have clashed over a Ministry of Health ambulance whose whereabouts had been questioned, illegal markets allegedly choking gazetted markets and declining local revenue collections.

The councilors raised the concerns during a council meeting held at Kitara Tourism Square Hall, arguing that Hoima West was left with limited revenue-generating infrastructure following the division of Hoima into East and West.

Julius Kyomuhendo, the Mayor of Hoima West Division, urged councilors to intensify community sensitization on the importance of paying taxes.

Kyomuhendo said the proposed establishment of a Hoima West taxi and boda boda stage would help increase revenue for the division, noting that most revenue-generating infrastructure remained in Hoima East after the split.

“Councillors need to sensitize community members on the benefits and importance of paying taxes,” Kyomuhendo said.

He also called for the fencing of the land where Hoima West Division offices are located to improve security.

Illegal markets blamed for revenue decline

Nelson Byamukama, the Bujura Ward Councillor, said Hoima West lacks a gazetted market at the roundabout, which he said has negatively affected established markets.

He revealed that Kibingo Market had 107 vendors before the implementation of the trade order but now has only 47 vendors.

According to Byamukama, vendors at the roundabout market do not pay taxes to the division, yet the authorities are expected to provide services such as garbage collection.

“Kibingo Market had 107 vendors but now has only 47 vendors. They are being suffocated by the roundabout market, which does not pay taxes but expects the division to collect garbage daily. This is unfair,” Byamukama said.

He said efforts were underway to establish a Hoima West taxi and boda boda stage to boost revenue and improve transport services, since most of the city’s existing parks and stages are located in Hoima East Division.

The council subsequently constituted a committee to spearhead the establishment of the proposed stage.

The committee will be chaired by Byamukama, with John Balijura, Western Ward Councillor, as Vice Chairperson. Other members are Justine Tweheyo, Female Councillor for Kihimboza; Leonard Kisembo, Kasingo Ward Councillor; and Nicholas Bagire, Kihukya Ward Councillor.

Councilor questions ambulance whereabouts

John Balijura raised concern over an ambulance commissioned at Karongo Health Centre III, saying residents had not seen or benefited from it since it was donated to the division by the Ministry of Health.

“The ambulance was commissioned at Karongo Health Centre III, but the community has not seen or used it to date,” Balijura said.

He also criticized the mushrooming of markets within Hoima West that he said do not remit taxes to the division, further affecting its revenue base.

Responding to the concerns, Didas Muhanguzi, the Hoima West Division Town Clerk, said the division has the ambulance and that it had been in their custody.

Muhanguzi explained that the vehicle had not been operating because the division lacked a driver, but said a driver had now been secured.

He said the ambulance would soon be stationed at Kihukya Health Centre III to serve residents.

The Speaker of Hoima West Division Council, Edward Ayesiga, confirmed that the issue surrounding the ambulance had been resolved.

“The ambulance is available and a driver has been secured,” Ayesiga said.

On the roundabout market, Ayesiga said authorities were addressing the matter and looking for an alternative location where the vendors could be relocated.

He expressed optimism that establishing the Hoima West stage would strengthen local revenue collection and help the division overcome financial challenges that have persisted since Hoima was split into East and West divisions.

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