MPS warn on new town councils

Sep 01, 2009

MPs have said the 13 newly-created town councils are likely to have poor planning and infrastructure due to lack of funding.

By Cyprian Musoke and Joyce Namutebi

MPs have said the 13 newly-created town councils are likely to have poor planning and infrastructure due to lack of funding.

Presenting a report of the public service and local government committee on Wednesday, the chairperson, Anthony Iga, said urban development should be deliberate instead of piecemeal.

“There is a lot of unregulated urban development.

“This is a subject that has not been receiving enough attention from local governments for many years. Consequently, many towns and urban centres have degenerated in terms of planning and infrastructure development,” he said.

The report noted that the sh141b unconditional grant this financial year for local governments, compared to the sh132b last financial year, was insufficient because new units had been created.

Local governments, it also noted, had failed to attract and retain enough staff especially in northern Uganda, on islands and in some remote areas.

This, he added, was accelerated by adverse conditions, poor roads and lack of power supply.

Local governments and urban authorities had lost the capacity to settle retirement benefits for their employees amounting to sh26b due to decline in local revenue, the report noted.

Six new town councils of Nakaseke, Semuto, Budadiri in Sironko, Kibiito in Kabarole, Patongo in Pader and Rwini in Kabarole district took effect on July 1.

Kyazanga in Masaka, Ngoma and Kiwoko in Nakaseke, Kijura in Kabarole, Bweyale in Masindi, Aduku in Apac, and Kaberebere in Isingiro district, will get town council status in July 2010.

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