Mbale lobbies for city status
Nov 27, 2008
Mbale municipal council plans to incorporate seven sub-counties into the town in an effort to lobby for its elevation to a city.
By Daniel Edyegu
Mbale municipal council plans to incorporate seven sub-counties into the town in an effort to lobby for its elevation to a city.
Mbale deputy mayor Hajjat Jamila Naleba said the municipal executive committee had proposed that the sub-counties of Nakaloke, Bukonde, Bunghoko, Mutoto, Namanyonyi, Busano and Busiu be added to the municipality.
Naleba explained that the decision was aimed at creating more land to establish development projects. It is also aimed at increasing the population to 500,000 people, which is a requirement for a city status.
“At present, we are only 84,000 people in the municipality, with limited land. We thought of altering the boundary of the municipality to include the seven sub-counties if the Government is to consider our application for city status,†Naleba said.
She was speaking to councillors at the municipal hall on Tuesday.
Naleba argued that a city status would attract more investments and step up the area’s revenue base.
“We are likely to benefit through more financial sponsorship from donors. As a city, we would stand better chances of being considered a regional centre for the East African Community,â€she said
However, Francis Kooko, the Nkoma ward councilor, said the municipality should exclude the sub- counties so as to avoid clashing with the local communities and their leaders.
Kooko cited residents of Nakaloke and Busiu, who he said had in the past resisted plans to turn small trading centres in their sub-counties into town boards.
He said such communities were likely to oppose the idea of joining the municipality.
Mbale municipal council plans to incorporate seven sub-counties into the town in an effort to lobby for its elevation to a city.
Mbale deputy mayor Hajjat Jamila Naleba said the municipal executive committee had proposed that the sub-counties of Nakaloke, Bukonde, Bunghoko, Mutoto, Namanyonyi, Busano and Busiu be added to the municipality.
Naleba explained that the decision was aimed at creating more land to establish development projects. It is also aimed at increasing the population to 500,000 people, which is a requirement for a city status.
“At present, we are only 84,000 people in the municipality, with limited land. We thought of altering the boundary of the municipality to include the seven sub-counties if the Government is to consider our application for city status,†Naleba said.
She was speaking to councillors at the municipal hall on Tuesday.
Naleba argued that a city status would attract more investments and step up the area’s revenue base.
“We are likely to benefit through more financial sponsorship from donors. As a city, we would stand better chances of being considered a regional centre for the East African Community,â€she said
However, Francis Kooko, the Nkoma ward councilor, said the municipality should exclude the sub- counties so as to avoid clashing with the local communities and their leaders.
Kooko cited residents of Nakaloke and Busiu, who he said had in the past resisted plans to turn small trading centres in their sub-counties into town boards.
He said such communities were likely to oppose the idea of joining the municipality.