DP leaders want city status for Wakiso district

A section of Democratic Party candidates aspiring for various elective posts in Wakiso district, have called on Government to upgrade it to a city status.  

This was during the weekend, as they launched their party campaigns in Seguku trading centre along Entebbe Road in Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality.

The candidates told the gathering that it is high time the district is accorded a city status.

Matia Lwanga Bwanika, the district chairman also contesting to retain the same seat for a second term, said the overwhelming population and development in the district indicates the need to elevate the district from the rural status.

"We have mega developments in the district that generate a lot of revenue for the country. Unless we are given a city, we cannot enjoy fully hose benefits which affects growth," Bwanika told voters.

He explained that; "We are challenged with the increased demand from the general public to provide urban infrastructure services like tarmac roads, improved waste management, street lighting among others that we can't achieve when we are still classified like other rural districts."

Bwanika promised to continue pushing for a city status if elected back into office.

Quoting section 32(1) of the Local Government Act, Bwanika said for an area is to be declared a city, it must have 500,000 inhabitants; have the capacity to meet its cost of service delivery and master plan for land use.  

"The provisional results that followed a census conducted from August 28 to September 7, 2014 revealed that Wakiso is now Uganda's most densely-populated district, with two million people. This means we must be accorded a city status," he explained.

Allen Ssentongo, aspiring for the district woman MP seat said; "The structure in the district suggest that Wakiso needs to become a city and all the sub counties therein to become municipalities. We want constituencies to become town councils. Experts have already developed a technical paper to this effect."

She added that a technical paper which was presented to Parliament also proposes that the Lord Mayor should head the city.

Emmanuel Ssempala, who is aspiring for newly created Makindye Ssabagabo Municipality Member of Parliament seat, asked people to elect him so that he can fast track the idea in Parliament.

"I am excited about the idea. It is very brilliant but in Uganda good ideas are always shot down. If I am voted, I promise to take on this matter seriously," Ssempala said.