Councillors back Buikwe, Buvuma for district status
WILD cheers filled Mukono Community centre when the council unanimously adopted a motion granting Buikwe and Buvuma counties district status.
By Joel Ogwang
WILD cheers filled Mukono Community centre when the council unanimously adopted a motion granting Buikwe and Buvuma counties district status.
William Nsubuga, the Buvuma county MP, ululated and jumped, flashing the V-sign immediately James Kunobwa, the speaker, announced the adoption.
Motion tabled
Alex Mabirizi, the Bwema councillor who tabled the motion, said Buvuma is far from the centre of administration.
“It takes 12-hours to get there.†he said, adding that it was because of this that NAADS, a Poverty Eradication Action Programme initiative, had not reached the two counties.
Fight for district status
This was not a ‘war’ fought and instantly won. A decade ago, Anthony Kanyike, then Buikwe West MP, led a crusade for his constituency. Nsubuga led the Buvuma line.
Top on MP Norman Muwulize’s 2006 campaign agenda was to get a district. Little wonder that he won the Buikwe West seat.
Mukono’s size
The district has 24 sub-counties and four municipalities. Nsubuga argues that it is because of this that “Buvuma has been forgotten†in terms of services.
Nsubuga says even with her size, Mukono does not get additional funding from the state.
Eight gigantic sub-counties and three town councils make up Buikwe. It has a population of 328,000 people.
Buvuma has 36,000 people, mostly fishermen.
“Buvuma supplies a lot of the fish in Mukono. It also remits much revenue to the district coffers,†says Nsubuga. “But it is ironical that we get the least service.â€
He says Buvuma could use her fish resource to boost her development, especially if the revenue collected is retained.
Road networks
There is only a 10km tarmacked road in Buvuma, and it is in a sorry state.
James Kasekende, the Busamuzi councillor, says Buikwe and Buvuma have the worst road networks.
“The only cure to this is granting district status. This will be a long-run solution as Mukono will also reduce on the number of dependent sub-counties,†he said.
Education
There are only two secondary schools in Buvuma — Buvuma College, which is government-aided and St Peter’s SSS, a private school.
Lubega Njuki, the education committee chief, says students cannot pursue A’level education there.
“Students are forced to come to Mukono because the two schools do not offer A’level,†he says. “Many students simply give up and turn to fishing.â€
Most of the best schools are in Mukono town, says Nsubuga.
WILD cheers filled Mukono Community centre when the council unanimously adopted a motion granting Buikwe and Buvuma counties district status.
William Nsubuga, the Buvuma county MP, ululated and jumped, flashing the V-sign immediately James Kunobwa, the speaker, announced the adoption.
Motion tabled
Alex Mabirizi, the Bwema councillor who tabled the motion, said Buvuma is far from the centre of administration.
“It takes 12-hours to get there.†he said, adding that it was because of this that NAADS, a Poverty Eradication Action Programme initiative, had not reached the two counties.
Fight for district status
This was not a ‘war’ fought and instantly won. A decade ago, Anthony Kanyike, then Buikwe West MP, led a crusade for his constituency. Nsubuga led the Buvuma line.
Top on MP Norman Muwulize’s 2006 campaign agenda was to get a district. Little wonder that he won the Buikwe West seat.
Mukono’s size
The district has 24 sub-counties and four municipalities. Nsubuga argues that it is because of this that “Buvuma has been forgotten†in terms of services.
Nsubuga says even with her size, Mukono does not get additional funding from the state.
Eight gigantic sub-counties and three town councils make up Buikwe. It has a population of 328,000 people.
Buvuma has 36,000 people, mostly fishermen.
“Buvuma supplies a lot of the fish in Mukono. It also remits much revenue to the district coffers,†says Nsubuga. “But it is ironical that we get the least service.â€
He says Buvuma could use her fish resource to boost her development, especially if the revenue collected is retained.
Road networks
There is only a 10km tarmacked road in Buvuma, and it is in a sorry state.
James Kasekende, the Busamuzi councillor, says Buikwe and Buvuma have the worst road networks.
“The only cure to this is granting district status. This will be a long-run solution as Mukono will also reduce on the number of dependent sub-counties,†he said.
Education
There are only two secondary schools in Buvuma — Buvuma College, which is government-aided and St Peter’s SSS, a private school.
Lubega Njuki, the education committee chief, says students cannot pursue A’level education there.
“Students are forced to come to Mukono because the two schools do not offer A’level,†he says. “Many students simply give up and turn to fishing.â€
Most of the best schools are in Mukono town, says Nsubuga.