Landowners in the Bunyoro sub-region have agreed to provide land for the construction of a 41-kilometre road network worth 90.8 billion shillings to support preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The road network will cover Hoima District, Kikuube District and Hoima City. The project is intended to improve access to Hoima City Stadium and ease traffic congestion during the tournament.
Construction had been delayed after some property owners demanded compensation for land affected by the planned works. However, the government maintains that the project has no compensation provision because the roads will be constructed within existing road reserves.
Following engagements and sensitisation by the Ministry of Works and Transport and local leaders, 95 per cent of the 395 Project Affected Persons (PAPs) have agreed to surrender portions of their land to allow the works to proceed without compensation. The project was initially expected to commence in June this year.
Fred Byamukama, the Minister of Works and Transport, said the affected landowners had agreed to provide the required land at no cost following discussions on the benefits of the project to communities around Hoima City Stadium. He said the road network would provide alternative routes for motorists and reduce pressure on existing roads, which are expected to experience increased traffic during AFCON matches.
Byamukama said the government planned to commission the construction works next week, with the contractor expected to complete the tarmacking by March 2027. He explained that people travelling to Hoima City Stadium for matches and those conducting private business currently rely on the same roads, making it necessary to develop additional access routes to prevent congestion during the tournament.
The project comprises several roads, including the one-kilometre Dr Rujumba Road, the 10-kilometre Mparo bypass, the 6.4-kilometre Hoima City-Kyarwabuyamba-Bulinda-Kyarwiru Road, the 1.5-kilometre Masindi Road Division section, the 2.3-kilometre Mparo bypass-Masindi Road section towards the stadium, and the 11.7-kilometre Buhimba-Kinogozi-Kampala Road, among others.
Byamukama attributed some of the initial resistance to inadequate public information and political interference. He said the government was continuing to engage the remaining five per cent of affected persons, including those who had taken legal action, to resolve outstanding concerns.
The minister acknowledged that the project has no general compensation provision but said special arrangements would be considered for people whose houses are directly affected by the construction. He advised affected homeowners to engage the contractor to explore possible solutions, including the construction of replacement houses or cash payments to enable them to build homes elsewhere.
Byamukama also urged the contractors, whom he described as local firms, to subcontract other local companies to ensure that communities benefit economically from the project. He warned ministry officials and contractors against corruption, stressing the need for transparency in the implementation of the road works.
Grace Mugasa, the Minister for Bunyoro Affairs, commended the landowners who had agreed to provide land for the project, saying the tarmacking of the roads would stimulate development in the region.
Patrick Isingoma Mwesigwa, the Member of Parliament for Hoima East Division, described the project as a potential game changer for Hoima City’s development. He commended the government for funding the works and urged residents to support the project. He also pledged to continue engaging those who had not yet agreed to provide the required land to allow construction to proceed.
Expedito Isingoma, one of the Project Affected Persons from Kyarwiru Cell, said he was ready to surrender part of his land to facilitate the immediate commencement of construction. Pauline Birungi, a resident of Kyarwiru, said her family was also willing to provide land for the project.
Last week, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja reiterated that the government would not compensate affected property owners, arguing that the construction would remain within existing road alignments without extending beyond their historical boundaries-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
