Kampala more than district

THE WRANGLE over the proposed re-development of the Constitutional (former City) Square in Kampala raises the questions about how the capital city is administered. City councillors have accused Local Government minister Jaberi Bidandi Ssali of interfering with their work, following his statement last week that he would refer the controversial project to the Cabinet. The proposal to re-develop the square in a multi-million shilling project that would essentially offer commercial space, has come under intense attack from various quarters, including environmentalists, conservationists, urban planners, politicians and opinion leaders. The councillors are arguing that they should have autonomy. They are right because the statutes say so under the system of decentralisation, but that should only be in ideal situations. Constitutional Square is not an ideal situation, partly because it concerns the fate of a national heritage whose importance transcends the city bounds. There is, therefore, justification for the minister to intervene. The wrangle is instructive. While the decentralisation policy is good, since it empowers local leaders who have a firm understanding of local issues and frees the central government from micro-management, there can be exceptions, and Kampala is one. Because of its status as the capital city, its affairs assume a national importance and a need to match international standards. It therefore requires a different set up. This may therefore call for a special law to govern the administration of the city, broadening it beyond just a handful of councillors who may, for no fault of theirs, be limited by a provincial outlook, and also lack the breadth of vision and skills that an international city requires. Kampala must be recognised for the city it is and not simply regarded as just another district.