Steer Moroto to achieve marble city status, development forum members told

MOROTO - The newly elected Moroto Development Forum (MDF) has been asked to steer the five-decade-old municipality to a marble city status in the next three years.

Moroto town was earmarked by the Government to attain city status by July 01, 2025; however, the move did not materialise, with the Government citing funding shortages, among other reasons.   

The five-man team is headed by Sophie Nangiro, deputised by Francis Lopeyok Moski and secretary Robert Oriokot.

Others are Olandason Wanyama, in charge of publicity, and the forum chief mobiliser Hassan Khadiri Naburii.

The elections were presided over by Arthur Abigaba, an urban planner in the lands, housing and urban development ministry.

Speaking to the team, technical staff and SACCO executives on December 2, 2025, at the municipality offices, Moroto town clerk Simon Peter Eyaru said the forum requires that members have a development background trajectory.

“We want to focus on the development of the municipality to a city status,” he said, adding that by 2030, the town should be ready for a city status.

Eyaru urged the new team to develop, strengthen working relations with the community to attain the development agenda, saying it was significant to have a different blend of people in the forum.

“MDF does not have permanent gains,” he said, adding that the benefits are accidental because it’s entirely voluntary work.

Outgoing MDF chairperson John Lokwang Tunta told the new team that the organisation was an advisor to the mayor on policy issues.

"MDF is just development eyes on and hands off,” he said, adding that the platform caters for priority developmental areas.

Tunta added that MDF is about resource mobilisation, where the new team has to share challenges with development partners.

Abigaba said the issue of citizen engagement still remains key, where the forum is meant to deepen the commitment.

“As we come on board, let's learn to work together,” Abigaba said, asking the newly elected members not to lament.

He reminded the members that the development of the marble city was entirely a responsibility of the development forum.

“So, we want to see each member's contribution,” Abigaba said.

Sophie Nangiro, the new Moroto Development Forum (MDF), president. (Credit: Olandason Wanyama)

New team leader speaks

Nangiro thanked the municipality authorities for placing trust in her, pledging to work with the Moroto municipality council.

She appealed to her team, including the technical staff, to work towards the development of the town.

Mapped as a marble city, Moroto is surrounded by huge deposits of marble in Rupa and Katikeikile and Tapac sub-counties.   

Mayor speaks

Ismail Mohamed, the mayor of Moroto, appreciated the outgoing team, saying that for the last three years in office, they were able to deliver.

He said the status of the town today is a result of the old team who have worked hard to earn a change of the municipality.

Citing the creation of new roads, the mayor said it was very challenging adding convince residents to offer passage was not easy.

‘So fast track development agenda,” Mohamed said adding that it will be unfortunate if the municipality does not change in the future.

Moroto Municipality was established in 1974 during the Amin Dada era while the President of the republic of Uganda. Currently, the population stands at an estimated 120,000 people.