AFCON 2027: Hoima residents urged to offer land for road construction

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Landlords in areas where the government plans to tarmac 34km of dilapidated roads connecting to Hoima City Stadium in Kyarwiru cell, Hoima East division, have been urged to offer their land freely for the project.

The government, through the Ministry of Works and Transport, has earmarked funds to tarmac 34km of roads leading to Hoima City Stadium. The roads pass through private land, but the project has no compensation component.

The tarmacking is part of preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for June 2027.

The listed potholed murram roads to be upgraded include Dr Rujumba Road, which leads to the VIP entrance of the stadium in Hoima city, Kyarwabuyamba Bulinda Kyarwiru Road, Kyentale Buhanika Butebere Kikwatamigo Road, Butebere Kichwamba Road and Kichwamba Kyakabuubi Road, all within Hoima city.

Another road is the Buhiimba-Kigarama-Kitaagi-Kinogozi Road, which stretches from Kampala Road to Hoima Fort Road in Kikuube district.

The works and transport ministry has already deployed MBW Consulting Ltd to conduct feasibility studies and design the project, which is expected to cost over sh100 billion.

The project kicked off on April 23, 2026, with engagement meetings involving project-affected landlords in Hoima City and parts of Kikuube District.

Elizabeth Aisu, a team leader at MBW Consulting Ltd, said the ministry contracted the company to carry out feasibility studies and designs, which are expected to be completed within two months.

She added that the contractor has already been secured and that once the studies and designs are completed, civil works will begin immediately.

However, she noted that the project has no compensation component and that landlords will be required to offer their land.

She explained that the government does not have funds to compensate affected persons and urged landlords to be patriotic and give up part of their land for the project.

“This project is like the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program; it has no compensation component because the government has no money, so we request the project-affected landlords to offer land where the project is going to pass. If you refuse to give us land, then you will miss out on the project,” she appealed.

Hoima city mayor Brian Kaboyo described the tarmacking of the 34km of roads as a major opportunity to improve the city’s road network, noting that local revenue cannot even tarmac one kilometre of road.

He called on residents and landlords to support the project by offering land to ensure timely implementation.

He urged residents to view the project as development that will improve their areas, increase property value and boost business activity.

“We need these roads to be complete before June next year to facilitate AFCON visitors to access Hoima city studium, so we are requesting you to support this project with love, give in your land so that we can expedite the project, I tell you that those who will refuse to give out land, the priority will be taken to other roads where residents are willing to offer land for the project,” he said.

However, Kaboyo assured landlords that structures such as perimeter walls and houses affected during implementation would be rebuilt by the contractor.

Some landlords expressed willingness to offer land, while others demanded compensation, arguing that the government has the capacity to pay.

Lawrence Kwebiha, a resident of Kyarwabuyamba cell, welcomed the project, saying it would boost business and development in the area.

“For the good and development of our areas as residents, we are willing to surrender our land for the project, but we also request the government to consider other roads that were not included under this project,” he said.

Adinani Mureju, another resident, appealed for compensation for affected persons.

“Government has a lot of money, if the government manages to give MPs sh100 million each, it cannot fail to get money to compensate us for our small piece of land,” he said.