As Hoima continues to evolve from a Town Council to a fully-fledged City, debates surrounding the future of the 6.7-acre Hoima Boma Grounds continue to resurface with renewed intensity. For years, these grounds have faced proposals for redevelopment in various ways.
Among the dangled options have been redevelopment of the facility into a high-level health facility, and/or a modern multi-sports training complex in preparation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). The latest push by the National Council of Sports (NCS) requires transfer of land ownership from Hoima City to facilitate construction of a multi-sport facility. Notwithstanding the seemingly innocent good plans, behind these ambitions lie a set of environmental, social, and urban planning concerns that remain largely unaddressed.
In spite of the scale of the proposed infrastructure, a comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) has not been brought before the District Council or the public. This omission contradicts both the Albertine Graben Environmental Management Plan (AGEMP) and Environment and Social Safeguards (ESS) that demand environmental safeguards for major projects. Hoima City hosts the regional National Environment Management Authority (Nema) offices, making the lack of environmental scrutiny even more baffling.
At a time when Uganda is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and SDG 13 on Climate Action; failing to prioritize environmental due diligence is inexcusable and threatens the long-term urban resilience of the district eco-system. Hoima Boma Grounds remains the city’s only formal emergency assembly point-a vital asset given the city’s rapid, and often unplanned urban expansion. During football matches for Kitara FC and Buhimba Saints, crowds and traffic overwhelm city centre, highlighting existing infrastructural weaknesses. With the Hoima City Stadium located less than five kilometres away from Kyarwiru (the location of Hoima City Stadium), concentrating two major sports facilities within such proximity could paralyze mobility and disrupt local businesses, including those linked to the emerging oil and gas sector.
At a time when Uganda’s Vision 2040 emphasises resilient, orderly urban development; reducing emergency spaces and worsening congestion would undermine the city’s preparedness and competitiveness. A more sustainable solution lies in distributing large-scale infrastructure across the city. Prioritizing the modern training facility for Hoima West Division would reduce pressure on the central business area while promoting balanced development-a core objective of Vision 2040. Schools such as Parajwoki, Karongo, and Bulemwa, among others already possess playgrounds that could be upgraded and co-utilized, supporting educational co-curricular activities and aligning with SDG 4 on Quality Education.
In addition, shared infrastructure investment across Hoima East and Hoima West Divisions would complement ongoing road network improvements and address decades-old challenges tied to the city’s 400 kilometers of poor-quality roads. Hoima’s development trajectory must be guided by proven planning models. Approaches such as the Garden City concept and incremental planning can help the city manage population growth, protect green spaces, reduce pollution, and integrate recreation areas into residential neighbourhoods.
This aligns with global sustainability principles and Uganda’s national development aspirations. As the debate over Hoima Boma Grounds continues, the question is not whether development should happen-but how it should happen. Uganda cannot afford to have an infrastructure that undermines environmental sustainability, worsens congestion, and/or compromises public safety. The citizens of Hoima deserve development that respects both their immediate needs and the long-term vision of a modern, resilient, and well-planned city.