Hoima leaders call for Minister Jonard’s intervention in AFCON road dispute

Hoima: Concerned leaders and residents in Hoima City are calling on the National Vice Chairperson of the NRM for the Western Region and Minister for Science, Technology and Innovation in the Office of the President, Hon. Eng. Jonard Asiimwe Akiiki, to intervene in the growing dispute surrounding the planned 31-kilometre road project linked to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The concerned residents want Asiimwe to engage political leaders, technical officials and affected communities to provide guidance and help resolve disagreements over compensation without undermining the potential development benefits of the infrastructure project.

The calls follow a parliamentary debate in which Hoima East Division MP Patrick Isingoma raised concerns about people affected by the road works who had reportedly taken the matter to court, warning that unresolved compensation issues could affect preparations for AFCON 2027.

However, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja told Parliament that the government had not provided funds for compensation for the Hoima AFCON roads, explaining that the project involves upgrading existing roads rather than opening entirely new routes.

Nabbanja added that the same principle applies to urban road works in other areas, including Kampala.

The Minister of Works and Transport, Fred Byamukama, also maintained that Hoima has a planned road network and that the roads being upgraded are existing access routes.

The explanations have prompted calls for leaders to clarify the project’s scope, particularly the distinction between upgrading roads within existing road reserves and acquiring additional land.

One concerned resident said leadership requires providing direction when communities face difficult development decisions.

“A leader shows the way. Where a community ought not to go, a leader with substantial reasons shows the way and leads a community towards better reasons that may be realised in the short or long term,” the resident said.

The residents believe Asiimwe, given his political position and influence in the region, could help bring the different parties together and encourage constructive engagement over the road project.

They argue that legitimate concerns about land rights and compensation should be addressed through the appropriate legal and administrative procedures, while communities are also helped to understand the project’s potential long-term benefits.

Government has committed substantial resources to preparations for AFCON 2027, which Uganda will co-host with Kenya and Tanzania.

Sports Minister Peter Ogwang told Parliament that Shs905 billion had been committed to AFCON preparations, including Shs213 billion for upgrading at least 47.53 kilometres of selected roads around Hoima City Stadium and Mandela National Stadium, alongside pedestrian facilities and street lighting.

The road project is expected to improve access to Hoima City Stadium and strengthen connectivity within the city as preparations for the continental tournament continue.

The controversy has also drawn comparisons with Lira City, where leaders are pursuing road infrastructure around Akii-Bua Stadium. Some Hoima residents have questioned why communities elsewhere are pushing for infrastructure investments around their stadium while disagreements continue over Hoima’s road programme.

The debate comes as Hoima City Stadium gains international recognition after being named the Best Project in the Sports/Entertainment category at the 2026 Engineering News-Record (ENR) Global Best Projects competition.

According to ENR, its judges assessed 111 submissions and selected 32 winning projects across 21 countries and six continents.

The stadium is among the key facilities supporting Uganda’s preparations to co-host AFCON 2027, and local leaders believe the surrounding infrastructure could help position Hoima as a major sporting, tourism and commercial destination.

For the concerned residents, the issue extends beyond the current political disagreement to the wider question of how Hoima can maximise the economic opportunities associated with the stadium and its supporting infrastructure.

They argue that improved roads could increase the value of land and property, attract businesses, improve access to markets and create opportunities for residents selling agricultural produce and other goods.

The argument echoes a question raised by Ogwang during the parliamentary debate over the road project.

“Who among us here would not want 31 kilometres in their area?” Ogwang asked.

For residents of Hoima, the question has become a call to weigh the potential benefits of improved infrastructure alongside the need to respect land rights and follow the law.

They point to communities such as Kiryabana and Kyedikyo, where improved road connectivity, including a proposed bypass through Kyedikyo, could create new opportunities for residents and businesses.

The residents are now urging Asiimwe to use his leadership position to facilitate dialogue, clarify outstanding concerns and help ensure that the AFCON road programme contributes to Hoima City’s long-term development.

They maintain that the objective should be to resolve disputes lawfully while ensuring that the city makes the most of the infrastructure investment associated with hosting one of Africa’s biggest sporting competitions.

A road can be more than asphalt. It can bring easier access to markets, businesses, homes and public services, while potentially opening new opportunities for people living and trading along its route.

The question remains: Who among us would refuse 31 kilometres of tarmac, yet others are moving at breakneck speed to secure the 18 kilometres around Akii-Bua Stadium in Lira City?

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