Govt to invest Sh545.99 billion in Bunyoro for AFCON infrastructure
“I am pleased to join you for the commissioning of the works to upgrade Buseruka HC III to HC IV. During the upgrade, three key facilities will be established here: a theatre, a general ward, and the Out-Patient Department, which will include a pharmacy, radiology unit, and accident and emergency unit,” Nabbanja said.
Nabbanja said that the Uganda Peoples Defense Forces (UPDF) engineering brigade had started on key infrastructural developments in the districts of Masindi, Hoima City and Hoima district. (Credit: Wilson Asiimwe)
BUNYORO - Uganda government is set to invest over Sh545 billion in Bunyoro sub-region as the country prepares to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2027) tournament, according to the Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja.
While commissioning the upgrading of Buseruka health centre III to health centre IV and construction of an accident and emergency unit at Hoima regional referral hospital on Friday, Nabbanja said that the Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF) engineering brigade had started on key infrastructural developments in the districts of Masindi, Hoima City and Hoima district.
She said that Buseruka health center is being upgraded because of its proximity near the Kabalega international airport, which will be an entry point for the guests.
“I am pleased to join you for the commissioning of the works to upgrade Buseruka HC III to HC IV. During the upgrade, three key facilities will be established here: a theatre, a general ward, and the Out-Patient Department, which will include a pharmacy, radiology unit, and accident and emergency unit,” Nabbanja said.
“The Government is going to invest Shs 545.99 billion in Bunyoro to get the country ready to host AFCON. This figure does not include USD 130 million (Shs 487 billion) invested in the establishment of Hoima City Stadium,” Nabbanja said.
Nabbanja said that all the projects are expected to be completed within six months because of the AFCON deadlines.
“We expect good quality work within a very short time because we have a deadline am appealing to leaders to monitor the projects and ensure that quality work is produced. I am happy that we don’t have foreign consultants. All these projects have been designed by our engineers in the country,” she said.
Peter Ogwang, the state minister for sports, urged the ministry to expedite the construction of Hoima-Kampala Road.
“The contractor is very slow, and we have limited time. We expect a team of CAF monitors in the country around August. We are appealing to the works ministry to expedite the process,” Ogwang said.
“We are expecting a team of officials very soon from Egypt who have insisted on flying direct from Cairo to Kabalega international airport,” Ogwang said.
Dr Charles Ayume, the state minister for Health in charge of Primary Health Care, said that Hoima Regional Referral Hospital's Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will be used to evaluate, diagnose and monitor several different medical conditions because it is also a requirement by CAF.
“We shall procure an MRI scan because of Afcon. Hoima has a dialysis unit. This year, the regional referral hospital will also have a new ambulance. The regional referral hospital will get dedicated power lines to ease the challenge of power,” Ayume said.
Nabbanja said that all the projects are expected to be completed within six months because of the AFCON deadlines. (Credit: Wilson Asiimwe)
The commissioner health infrastructure in the Ministry of Health, George Otim, said that Hoima regional referral hospital will be upgraded to meet international standards in phases.
“We have worked on a master plan where old structures will be demolished, and 6.5b under Afcon for facelift facilities has already been provided; the project duration is only six months. The ministry has a very strong team that is able to design and supervise the works,” Otim said.
Col James Lwegaba, the joint staff of UPDF engineering brigade, said that their teams have already started on the construction works.
“We want to assure the government that we have a dedicated team which has already started work, and we shall be able to deliver quality work within a short time. We are requesting the communities to support us,” Lwegaba said.
Edwad Isingoma mayor Hoima City, Hoima, will benefit from the green cities’ initiative funded by the government of Italy, which will transform the City.
"We wish to beautify Hoima City, but the contractor for the Hoima Kampala Road is very slow. We need them to work very fast so that they can give us time to plant trees and flowers along the roads.
Key projects to be supported
▪️Support/soft loans to hotels 101.1b
▪️Building passenger terminal at Kabalega International Airport 182.5b
▪️Upgrade of Buseruka HC III, Hoima RR Hospital & Masindi Hospital 91b
▪️Upgrade of King George Stadium (Masindi) 20.2b
▪️Upgrade of Sir Tito Winyi SS playground 18.6b
▪️Upgrade of Hoima Boma playground 13.3b
▪️Access roads around Hoima City Stadium 95.5b
▪️Upgrade of water services/capacity 6.25b
▪️Dedicated power lines to AFCON facilities 4.69b
▪️A Kira Motors bus for Kabalega Int’l airport 1.2b
▪️Hoima City 6.55b
▪️Masindi Municipality 5.1b