Local govt proposes 6 new towns

By Edith KimuliThe Ministry of Local Government has proposed formation of six new town councils from fast growing villages in the country so as to avoid developing “big slums.”Vincent Ssekkono, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, told Parliament on Tuesday that Busembatia, Kaliro, Kaabong, Hima, Kaliisizo, and Kiira would be elevated to town council status. The meeting also noted that Kampala suburbs, Kireka and Bweyogerere, required town council status.Ssekkono was presenting the ministry’s mid-term expenditure framework for 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 financial years, before the public service and local government committee.He said each new municipality would need sh34m as start-up fund before they could organise themselves and acquire the administrative capacity to raise revenue. Alex Ndeezi (disabilities) questioned Ssekkono on the promised Mengo municipality. “In 1998, Buganda was promised Mengo municipality, but it has now completely disappeared,” he said. He also inquired on the creation of Ibanda district, which he said was promised last year.On Mengo municipality Ssekkono said, “I don’t like to give a hazardous answer.” While on the issue of Ibanda district he said a technical study on its creation was being carried out.The chairperson of the committee Beatrice Byenkya (Hoima) said Ssekkono was not the right person to comment on the issue of Mengo municipality.Ssekkono said the ministry needed sh465,956,728 to support the Decentralisation Secretariat after DANIDA pulled out from meting the wage and administrative costs with effect from July 2002.