KANUNGU- The Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association (BMCDA) held its 26th Annual General Meeting (AGM) last month marking a significant milestone in the organization’s journey.
The event that took place on February 22nd 2025, was attended by dignitaries, community members and stakeholders and showcased the Association’s achievements and accomplishments over the past year and laid out ambitious plans for the future.
According to the Association Chairperson Medard Ashaba Kibaba, several key achievements were registered in 2024 and these include land acquisition to expand Haven Lodge and secured additional land in Nyakatanda to bolster tourism and community development.
Ashaba also disclosed that the Association registered financial stability and there was timely disbursement of staff salaries and well-organized meetings that demonstrated responsible financial management.
Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association provided significant support to various community initiatives that included youth activities, construction, support for several schools, among which waa Bwashwa Community Primary School and Nyakeina Primary school, assistance for community groups and health initiatives and road rehabilitation projects.
Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association is now looking at the social economic development of the people of Buhoma Town Council that is composed of 11 cells and 4 parishes touching Bwindi Impenetrable National Park .
“We emphasize on health and sanitation, education, natural resources conservation, agriculture and each has different components on how it’s implemented” Ashaba explained.
There was also improved corporate governance and Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association successfully navigated challenges, including legal disputes, maintaining financial transparency.
Ashaba also noted that despite these accomplishments, Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association acknowledged several challenges like tge climate Change that disrupted various activities, poverty which remains a significant obstacle, impacting community development efforts and lack of infrastructure like good roads that makes transport unreliable and expensive, limited access to electricity coupled with loadsheding that affects the community initiatives like establishing cottage industries.
He also pointed out that limited income diversification makes the community over-reliance on tourism that makes the community vulnerable to economic shocks.
Ashaba made a detailed financial performance and said that Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association has now outlined its aspiration that include the expansion of Buhoma Community High School, construction of new administrative offices and rentals, continued community support and capacity building, land acquisition for future projects, improved access to healthcare, enhanced marketing strategies, strengthening partnerships with government and other stakeholders and addressing garbage disposal issues.
The Treasurer, Ndyabakyenga Ephraim, provided a financial overview of the organization’s activities while various Community Representatives shared their perspectives and concerns, reflecting the diverse needs and priority area within the community and these included insights from representatives of Mukongoro, Mukono, Kanyashande, Nkwenda, Kashebeya, Iraaro, Batwa communities, women’s groups, PWDs and the elderly.
The Youth Representative, Arineitwe Herbert shared the views of the youth in the community and Elder representing Women Ms Maria Nkabuzaranwa, presented the concerns of women and the elderly.
The Guest Speaker, Kinkizi West Member of Parliament Hon James Ruugi Kaberuka emphasized the significance of tourism, the need for open and transparent leadership, and the importance of community unity.
Hon Kaberuka also addressed various issues like budget allocation, political disputes and the importance of community initiatives in driving developmen and expressed appreciation for the community’s support and called for continued collaboration between government and local communities.
On the issue of the roads, Hon Kaberuka stated that finally, Uganda Wildlife Authority has cleared the road to pass via Buhoma to Nteko and attributed this achievement to Bukimbiri County Member of Parliament Hon Eddie Kwizera Wa-gahungu who vigorously worked with him to ensure it is achieved.
On the issue regarding tourism roads, Hon Kaberuka mentioned that the money that comes from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park alone is beyond the whole Uganda Wildlife Authority budget and emphasized that they are trying to ensure that tourism roads are given priority.
While speaking at the same event, Kanungu District Woman Member of Parliament Hon Patience Kinshaba Nkunda, expressed appreciation for the people of Buhoma, highlighting their love and cooperation and announced additional funding for road repairs.
She also highlighted her efforts to secure a multipurpose generator for Kambuga Hospital which has since ensured reliable power supply, significantly reducing mortality rate during labor.
Kanungu District Vice Chairperson Henry Mwongyera Tibifumura who represented the Chairman Eng Sam Arinaitwe Kajojo called for reconciliation between opposing factions within Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association and stressed the need for forgiveness and cooperation.
Mwongyera emphasized the importance of transparency and integrity in leadership and the necessity of collaborative efforts for effective governance.
The District Planner Kanungu District Local Government Innocent Atuheire who represented the Chief Administrative Officer commended Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association for its work in easing the burden on the local government to provide essential services like schools, health centres, roads and water facilities and further expressed the government’s commitment to providing infrastructure development.
The Acting Chief Warden Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Area, Masereka Joshua expressed gratitude for community support in conservation efforts and addressed the progress made in resolving internal conflicts within Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association
Masereka underscored achievements in water extensions, road development, and school improvements and also encouraged collaboration between communities and local government for project implementation.
Buhoma Town Council Chairman Moses Bashaija hailed the Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association leadership for the achievements and assured continued support.
Bashaija said that the Town Council has already earmarked funds for road maintenance and improvements, but lamented that it was insufficient yet the roads are important fortourism roads and thanked Uganda Wildlife Authority for providing a grader for road work.
Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association is currently running Buhoma Community Rest Camp, Haven Lodge Buhoma Community, Buhoma Community Primary School, Buhoma Community High School, Buhoma Community Sacco, Buhoma Community Gravity water flow scheme, Buhoma Community Village walk, Send a Cow project among many others .
Buhoma Mukono Community Development Association is steered by the Board of 7 Directors headed by Chairperson Ashaba Medard Kibaba, Moses Magoba as Vice Chairman, Friday Dickens as General Secretary, Ndabakyenga Ephraim as Treasurer, Moses Magoba as Vice chairman, Nduhukire Laban as Assistant General secretary, Asiimwe Annet as Director and Women representative and Kyomukama John Director together with village Counselors as representatives.
