HOIMA CITY: OIL, AFCON, AIRPORT FUEL UGANDA'S NEXT MEGA HUB
Hoima is set for massive economic growth as the centre of Uganda's petroleum industry, a new international airport, and a host city for the 2027 AFCON.
With a new international airport opening soon, Hoima is set to become a major hub for hospitality.
Hoima City is set to become a key spot in the country. It's becoming the centre for the petroleum industry and will soon have the country's second international airport.
Plus, it's getting Uganda's newest sports stadium, one of three hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (CAF) in 2027. But there's more—Hoima is right in the middle of Uganda's top tourist spots. It's near Murchison Falls National Park, the Rwenzori Mountains, and Queen Elizabeth National Park. With a new international airport opening, Hoima is about to boom in hospitality, thanks to all the visitors passing through.
Hoima, one of Uganda's ten new cities, looks set for success. The city will likely need more hotel rooms soon. This is because of the expected economic growth from the oil industry and also because of the AFCON tournament in 2027, which will bring many visitors. Plus, Hoima is getting Uganda's second international airport. Travellers will need places to stay and eat during layovers. People from South Sudan and eastern Congo may soon pick Kabalega over Entebbe to make their trips home shorter.
Because of the new airport, tourists heading to Uganda's national parks may choose Kabalega over Entebbe. The international airport could draw in more tourists since those who didn't want long drives from Entebbe might change their minds. The more travellers landing in Hoima, the more hotels we'll need for them before and after visiting western Uganda's parks. With more good rooms in that area, it will be easier to market places like Murchison Falls and the Rwenzoris. Right now, the city only has 507 hotel rooms, so there's room to grow.
One reason many tourists visit Bwindi through Rwanda is that Rwanda's Kanombe International Airport is closer than Entebbe. Some tourists don't like long drives. Because of this, Hoima International Airport could be a reason for tourists to visit, cutting out extra charter flight costs and long trips from Entebbe. Most people have put money into Kampala's property because they want to be part of Kampala's economy. So, Hoima city is about to see lots of property investors. Keep an eye on Hoima.
LIFE AFTER OKELLO: HOW ABDULKARIM WATAMBALA BECAME VIPERS' NEW MIDFIELD COMMANDER
Vipers SC dismantled Police FC 4-1 at Kitende, led by a stunning AbdulKarim Watambala goal to extend their lead at the UPL summit.
Vipers came out flying, up 3-0 by halftime against a stunned Police squad. Once again, AbdulKarim Watambala pulled the strings in midfield, making everything tick.
With this 4-1 thumping at St. Mary’s Stadium in Kitende, Vipers held onto their three-point lead at the top of the Startimes Uganda Premier League heading into the last games of the first round.
Honestly, what was supposed to be a top-of-the-table clash turned into a breeze for the defending champions. They probably played their best half of football since Ivan Minnaert took over as head coach last July.
Watambala, who’s looked like a new man since his close friend Allan Okello left, set up the opener for Milton Karisa with a clever through ball. Karisa made no mistake, poking the ball past a scrambling Mathias Muwanga in the 32nd minute.
Then came the moment of the night. Watambala picked up a pass from Enoch Ssebagala just outside the box, and with police defenders backing off, he smashed a rocket in off the underside of the crossbar. That was his third goal in two games, after his brace in Saturday’s 3-0 win over URA.
Right before halftime, Odili Chukwuma put the game to bed, heading in Usama Arafat’s cross after nutmegging Richard Matovu.
Police barely threatened all evening, but Saidi Kyeyune managed to pull one back with a low shot just four minutes into the second half. It didn’t matter much. Vipers stretched their lead again in the 77th minute, when substitute Yunus Sentamu headed the ball across for Usama to tap in their fourth.
The win pushes the Vipers to 33 points. Police drop to third with 27. KCCA move into second place after brushing aside UPDF 4-0. Sammy Ssebaduka grabbed two goals, with Joel Sserunjogi and substitute Alpha Ssali also on the scoresheet.
UPL UPDATES: KCCA FC HELD IN LUZIRA WHILE POLICE FC CLOSE THE GAP AT TOP
Police FC move to second after beating Calvary, while KCCA is held to a goalless draw by Maroons in a rusty MD13 clash.
After beating Calvary, Police moved up to second place in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League. KCCA didn't score against Maroons, and Entebbe UPPC beat UPDF, keeping the title race close on match day 13.
Police grabbed second place in the StarTimes Uganda Premier League after a 2-0 win against Calvary at Kiira Road on Wednesday.
Breaks during the season are usually a time for teams to regroup and let players rest after many games in a short time. But for the Uganda Premier League, there hasn't been much going on since mid-December, partly because of the 2025 AFCON.
Today's game between Maroons and KCCA in Luzira was different. Both teams seemed out of practice, which might explain the dull game that ended with no score.
Neither team seemed ready to push for a win, and there were few chances to score.
KCCA and Maroons each played one game between December 17 and today, losing to Police and Buhimba United Saints, respectively. That's just one game in 35 days.
Maroons played a physical game, preventing KCCA from controlling the ball and playing their usual style. This could be why coach Brian Ssenyondo took out Ashraf Mugume and Saidi Mayanja at halftime, replacing them with Brian Jjara and Derrick Nsibambi.
The home team kept KCCA away from the goal, and even when they brought in another striker, Emmanuel Anyama, later in the second half, they didn't get many chances.
Maroons defended well as a team to earn a point, putting them in seventh place with 16 points.
For KCCA FC, this result is a setback in their chase for the title. They are tied for first place with 27 points, the same as Police, who beat Calvary FC, and Vipers, who have two games left.
Wednesday's results:
Maroons 0-0 KCCA
Police 2-0 Calvary
UPDF 0-1 Entebbe UPPC