Oil-Driven Growth Turns Hoima Into a Strategic City in Uganda’s Central Belt
The city of Hoima is rapidly changing from a modest town into a major regional urban hub — driven by the discovery and development of oil in the region and the government’s urbanisation strategy.
Under Uganda’s national development blueprint (the Second National Development Plan II and Vision 2040) Hoima was designated as one of the “strategic cities” — alongside ones focused on tourism, industry and mining.
Some of the visible transformation includes:
A growing skyline of commercial and office buildings, especially around the city centre and industrial park zones.
Major infrastructure works: the 111 km Hoima-Butiaba-Wanseko road has been upgraded, improving connectivity in the region.
Emergence of the Kabalega Industrial Park and other zones designed to host industries and export-oriented enterprises.
Why this matters:
Hoima’s transformation demonstrates how resource-led urbanisation can re-shape regional cities — not just the capital.
The combined effect of oil, industry, infrastructure and urban services means Hoima may attract population, investment and economic activity.
This shift also raises questions: Will the growth be inclusive? How will housing, services and jobs keep up? What about environmental and social impacts of rapid change?
As Hoima pivots from small town to strategic city, it presents a micro-cosm of Uganda’s urban future. For The Urban Gazette audience, the story is not only about Hoima but about what other cities across Uganda might become.
