Fort Portal administrative units struggle to operate

Aug 25, 2021

“Out of the sh800m budget which was passed by council, the finance ministry has never given us a single coin,” Mashuhuko said.

A domestic water source for residents of Karambi. Photos by Wilson Asiimwe

Wilson Asiimwe
Journalist @New Vision

Several newly created administrative units in the two divisions of Fort Portal city are struggling to operate due to financial constraints.

The sub-counties, which were annexed in order for the municipality to qualify for a city status, are stranded with money which was recently released to them by the finance ministry.

Karago town council, which was formally part of Burahya County, was annexed to Fort Portal city and in the current quarter, sh400m was wired to its account from the finance ministry under the road fund programme.

The water that residents of Karago in Fort Portal city use in homes

The water that residents of Karago in Fort Portal city use in homes

Other units were created during the 2020/2021 financial year and election of leaders for various positions during the January 2021 general election.

Several councillors have been complaining that they have never received any payment since they were sworn in.

Joseph Mashuhuko, the mayor for Northern division, said they lack operational funds.

“Out of the sh800m budget which was passed by council, the finance ministry has never given us a single coin,” Mashuhuko said.

At Ibaale parish, which was carved out of Busoro sub-county and annexed to the Central division, residents have been left puzzled as all activities ground to a halt after elections.

“We do not know what is happening.  When we were still under Kabarole district, things were better. The roads are in a bad state and our leaders tell us there is no money,” Jackline Kobusinge, a resident of Ibaale, said.

She said residents have been struggling to access services and some of the leaders they elected are yet to occupy the offices.

Water challenge

Residents in the areas which were annexed to Fort Portal city are grappling with bad water sources, which exposes them to waterborne diseases.

Richard Akugizibwe, a resident of Kitumba, said they share water sources with animals.

“We thought the city would come along with better services, such as piped water, but this has not happened,” Akugizibwe said.

Impassable roads

Several roads in the pre-urban areas of the city are in a bad state, especially now that the area is experiencing heavy rains.

In Burungu parish, Northern division, several residents cannot access markets due to the bad roads connecting to Mugusu Market in Kabarole district.

Joseph Businge, a vegetable farmer, says the 3km stretch along the swamp linking the parish to Mugusu town council has not been maintained for a long time.

Some of the roads that are yet to be worked on include Kazingo-Bukuku (10km), Musoma (3km), Mukubo- Mugoma-Kitere (14km) and KagoteMuhooti-Mountains of the Moon University (6km), among others.

The city is financially constrained to maintain roads

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