Fresh tension is mounting in Hoima following the forceful survey of the disputed Boma ground by unknown people. In December 2010, Hoima District Council allocated Boma grounds to Hoima Regional Referral Hospital for expansion. The decision to allocated Boma ground to Hoima Regional Hospital didn’t go down well residents.
They threatened to stage protests urging the District Council to rescind the decision to allocate Boma grounds to the hospital. The residents under Hoima concerned citizens committee petitioned the lands ministry to block the giveaway. On May 30 Lands Ministry Permanent secretary Gabindadde Musoke wrote to Hoima town clerk blocking any proposed developments on the land and directed that council considers reversing its decision.
Fresh trouble started on Tuesday after, a group of surveyor dressed in light green apron with inscriptions “Teclab Limited” started surveying the disputed land. The men who declined to identify themselves to journalists claimed they were medical superintendents and had come to take soil samples to ascertain whether it could allow for the construction of storied building.
However, after about an hour, a group of residents led by Hoima Deputy Mayor Ronald Basiima stormed the ground and ordered the men to stop surveying the ground saying the municipality had not received any notification.
The surveyors stopped the work but resumed after about two hours under tight police protection. Police also deployed around the ground for the whole day as work went on.
Annoyed by the men’s return to the pitch and the police deployment a group of residents led by the public cell Local council one boss Mohammed Kiyimba stormed the office of the regional police commander demanding his explanation. Journalists were blocked from covering the meeting as Mercellino Wanitho the regional police commander sent them out.
Dr. Francis Mulwanyi, the medical superintendent Hoima Hospital has declined to comment on the matter saying it was beyond him. He instead referred our reporter to the permanent secretary ministry of health.
Kyaboga Kakiiza, a member of the Hoima concerned citizens committee has vowed to mobilize residents to block any developments on the ground in breach of the directive from the permanent secretary ministry of lands.
George Tinkamanyire Bagonza, the Hoima LC5 Chairman who has always supported the giveaway could not be reached on his known mobile phone number.
