Hoima city unveiled

HOIMA | NEW CITY

HOIMA-Hoima is one of the 15 municipalities to attain city status. Like the other new cities, today it was launched.

Hoima city was the 10th to be launched this financial year after its operation was brought forward by parliament from 2021/2022 financial year.

Presiding over the launch, Raphael Magyezi the local government minister asked voters in all the operationalized cities not to vote corrupt leaders who will sabotage the purpose of the creation of the new cities.

He said that government wanted Hoima city to start with the other 9 cities because if it started next year they would not elect leaders until 2026.

Speaking while launching the city at the former Hoima municipal headquarters, Magyezi asked the people of Bunyoro to use the launched city to develop the tourism industry and improve household incomes.

"Hoima is the only oil city in the country, I therefore ask leaders to ensure its a model city which is well planned," he said.

Bishop Samuel Kahuma thanked government for allowing Hoima city, the center of Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom with a lot of history saying this will spur development of the entire Kingdom.

He warned leaders who will come to get rich in politics arguing that it's about service delivery not getting riches.

Benjamin Kumanya, the permanent Secretary ministry of local government assured the people of Hoima that the ministry will do all it takes to ensure Hoima city is properly planned.

Amanda Ngabirano, the director physical planning said that land use must be streamlined so as to have a clean city of Hoima.

The mayor Hoima city Mary Grace Mugasa, outlined some of the challenges they are facing such as limited funding from the center, poor remuneration of both technical and political leaders and the theft of installations made to beautify the city such as solar lights among others.

Samuel Kisembo Araali said that they will ensure whoever is vandalising government property in the city is brought to book.

Ali Babi, a resident of Hoima city said that the people of Hoima need to change their mindset and know they are now in a city not a municipality any more.

Photos by Ismael Kasooha