Hon. Adyeeri Brian Kaboyo: A Transformative Legacy as Hoima City’s First Elected Lord Mayor 2021–2026

In January 2021 Hon. Adyeeri Brian Kaboyo made history by becoming the first elected Lord Mayor of Hoima City, shortly after it was elevated to city status in July 2020. An Economics graduate from Makerere University (class of 2007) and a successful businessman in real estate and distribution, Kaboyo brought a unique blend of private-sector efficiency, community focus, and patriotic zeal to local governance. Over his full five-year term, he steered Hoima through its formative years as a city, laying critical foundations for urban growth, infrastructure, and service delivery amid funding constraints typical of newly established cities.

Kaboyo’s leadership was defined by hands-on project delivery, strategic lobbying for resources, and a commitment to tangible improvements that directly benefited residents. As he reflected in interviews (such as on Kabalega TV’s Political Angle), his administration prioritized infrastructure, health, water access, and youth empowerment—areas where measurable progress was achieved despite challenges like operating on a limited municipal budget, lacking dedicated road equipment, and the absence of permanent garbage dumping sites.

Key Achievements and MilestonesRoad Infrastructure Development.
One of the most visible legacies of Kaboyo’s term was the significant improvement in the city’s road network. His administration worked on approximately 25 km of roads, enhancing connectivity, reducing travel times, and supporting economic activity in a rapidly growing urban area. These upgrades were crucial for Hoima’s transition from a municipal to a city framework, facilitating better access to markets, services, and the broader Bunyoro region.

Hoima City Stadium: A Landmark Project
Under Kaboyo’s stewardship, the Hoima City Stadium was constructed and completed in record time. This modern facility has become a source of pride for residents, destined to host sports events, community gatherings, and even drawing visitors from beyond the city. It symbolizes investment in youth and recreational infrastructure, promoting health, unity, and local talent development.

Water and Sanitation Initiatives.
Kaboyo actively lobbied for and oversaw the construction of water sources valued at over UGX 200 million. These projects addressed long-standing access issues in various wards, improving public health and quality of life for thousands of households. His ability to mobilize resources through partnerships and personal networks was instrumental in delivering these community-focused interventions.

Health Sector Contributions.
Notable advancements included work on an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, bolstering the city’s capacity to handle critical medical cases. Such efforts strengthened healthcare infrastructure during a period when Hoima was still building its institutional framework as a city. Also a newly constructed blood bank is another notable achievement under Kaboyo’s reign.

Throughout his term, Kaboyo maintained an open-door approach, engaging with residents, appearing on local media like Kabalega TV to account for progress, and advocating for Hoima’s investment potential (e.g., in agriculture, which drives 63% of the local economy, and trade opportunities tied to the region’s resources).

Challenges Overcome and Vision for the Future Hoima City faced typical teething problems as a new entity, including limited central government transfers and logistical hurdles. Kaboyo often highlighted these constraints while crediting collaborative efforts—lobbying friends, partners, and stakeholders—for the successes achieved. His tenure exemplified resilience, turning a nascent city into one with visible development footprints. Even as his term is concluding in early 2026, Kaboyo has remained optimistic about Hoima’s trajectory, expressing readiness to continue serving the community in future roles.

His defeat in the January 2026 mayoral race (to Independent Edward Isingoma) was attributed primarily to internal political dynamics, especially from leaders within the NRM Party rather than service delivery shortfalls. Hon. Adyeeri Brian Kaboyo’s five years as Lord Mayor stand as a solid foundation for Hoima City’s future. As the pioneer who navigated the city’s early challenges with determination and results-oriented leadership, his legacy of improved roads, a state-of-the-art stadium, enhanced water access, and health upgrades will benefit generations to come. In a time of rapid urbanization in Uganda, Kaboyo’s story reminds us that visionary local leadership can drive meaningful change even under resource constraints. Hoima City—and indeed Bunyoro—owes much to his pioneering efforts.