Govt urged to boost funding for physical planning at local levels
Nampendo explained that each district currently receives sh20 million to facilitate planners' travel to rural areas for site visits and assessments.
The Minister of State for Housing, Persis Namuganza remarking during celebrations to mark the World Town Planning Day 2026 at Namutumba district headquarter grounds on November 6th. (Photos by Donald Kiirya)
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Government has been urged to allocate more funding to physical planning activities at lower local government levels to ensure that realistic and approved development plans are implemented across the country.
Charles Nampendo, president of the Society of Professional Physical Planners of Uganda, made the call during the World Town Planning Day 2026 celebrations held at Namutumba district playground on November 6, 2026, under the theme “Great communities are built on planning.”
He noted that physical planners play a critical role in improving and modifying urban centres and small towns but are constrained by limited resources, which affect their ability to carry out their duties effectively.
Nampendo explained that each district currently receives sh20 million to facilitate planners' travel to rural areas for site visits and assessments.
“This is far less compared to the huge numbers of administrative units in their areas of operation. Namutumba alone has 20 administrative units which have to be covered in a single financial year,” he said.
He emphasised that villages with proper physical plans would be better positioned to accommodate development projects introduced by the Government.
The Minister of State for Housing, Persis Namuganza (middle) joined by the Busiki County MP Joel Azalwa Waiswa (left), in handing over a Plaque to Namutumba district CAO Jessica Nsobya (right) during celebrations to mark the World Town Planning Day 2026 at Namutumba district headquarter grounds on November 6th.
Nampendo further urged the government to increase the wage bill for districts nationwide to enable them to recruit physical planners at sub-county level and reduce the workload on the few available officers.
Jessica Nsobya, the chief administrative officer of Namutumba district, appealed to the Government to install a clock at the Namutumba roundabout along the main highway to commemorate the district's hosting of the celebrations.
“That clock will help people passing by know the time and be in a position to plan for their activities,” she said.
She reported that Namutumba District Local Government had issued 4,000 customary certificates to landowners this year to formalise recognition of their ownership.
Joel Azalwa, the Busiki Constituency MP, expressed doubt over whether the three town councils of Ivukula, Nsinze and Namutumba were developing in accordance with approved plans.
“Let’s be realistic and admit that there are no structural plans in these administrative units and something needs to be done,” he said.
Azalwa observed that most roads in urban centres lack drainage systems, exposing them to premature deterioration.
He pledged to work with the district and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development to ensure that every sub-county obtains an approved physical plan. He also urged parents to encourage their children to enrol in courses with clear job prospects upon completion.
Housing state minister Persis Namuganza stressed that physical plans must be well understood by the people living in the respective areas.
“People must be aware that blocking a road in an area is bad,” she said.
Namuganza called on local leaders to actively discourage settlement in wetlands and swamps.
She disclosed that the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development had embarked on a programme to establish housing projects that would provide accommodation for people across different economic groups.
She cautioned the public against burying the deceased within town council areas, noting that the entire country had been declared a planning area.
The minister announced that the ministry would construct a modern roundabout in Namutumba town council, describing it as the first of its kind in the country, in commemoration of the district hosting the national celebrations.
“Namutumba will be among the forty urban centres countrywide to benefit from this development plan,” she said.