High population threatens towns
Dec 09, 2009
URBAN centres will soon become dens for criminals if the Government does not put in place measures to address the high population growth rate, officials have warned.
By Taddeo Bwambale
and Francis Kagolo
URBAN centres will soon become dens for criminals if the Government does not put in place measures to address the high population growth rate, officials have warned.
Samuel Mabala, the commissioner for urban development in the lands ministry, said the high population growth rate has mostly affected towns, where pressure is exerted on the inadequate resources.
He said statistics show that between 1969 and 2009, Uganda’s population trebled from nine million to about 33 million. It is estimated that by 2050, Uganda will have a population of 110 million.
While the country’s population grows at 3.3% per annum, the urban growth rate is estimated at 6%, according to Mabala.
He said by 2050, over 50% of the population will be living in urban areas.
“If we don’t come up strongly to curb the high population growth, we should be ready for more slums, increased urban poverty and crime. In addition, modernisation of agriculture will be undermined,†said Mabala.
Mabala made the remarks during a workshop with town clerks and chairpersons of various urban centres from Buganda.
The workshop was held to draw strategies towards improving management and service delivery in town councils, municipalities and Kampala city.
Mabala said most towns were mismanaged because they lacked capacity to implement development plans and rely on reactive rather than proactive approaches.
He was saddened that most physical plans approved by the ministry were never implemented in most towns, especially in the central region.
Mabala castigated town clerks and planners, especially in Kampala, for approving inappropriate construction designs without ample parking space, which he said caused congestion.
“Slums and other small informal settlements will increase if the development of urban centres is not well planned. We should shift from horizontal to vertical housing,†he said.
Town clerks blamed the failure to implement urban plans on interference from politicians.
Michael Werikhe, the state minister for lands, housing and urban development, urged town clerks and chairpersons to put in place measures aimed at protecting the environment in their areas.
“Rapid urbanisation and resultant immigration has placed enormous pressure on the capacity of the urban authorities,†Werikhe said, calling for orderly development in urban centres.
He was optimistic that the National Urban Policy, which is being drafted, would streamline development in urban areas.
and Francis Kagolo
URBAN centres will soon become dens for criminals if the Government does not put in place measures to address the high population growth rate, officials have warned.
Samuel Mabala, the commissioner for urban development in the lands ministry, said the high population growth rate has mostly affected towns, where pressure is exerted on the inadequate resources.
He said statistics show that between 1969 and 2009, Uganda’s population trebled from nine million to about 33 million. It is estimated that by 2050, Uganda will have a population of 110 million.
While the country’s population grows at 3.3% per annum, the urban growth rate is estimated at 6%, according to Mabala.
He said by 2050, over 50% of the population will be living in urban areas.
“If we don’t come up strongly to curb the high population growth, we should be ready for more slums, increased urban poverty and crime. In addition, modernisation of agriculture will be undermined,†said Mabala.
Mabala made the remarks during a workshop with town clerks and chairpersons of various urban centres from Buganda.
The workshop was held to draw strategies towards improving management and service delivery in town councils, municipalities and Kampala city.
Mabala said most towns were mismanaged because they lacked capacity to implement development plans and rely on reactive rather than proactive approaches.
He was saddened that most physical plans approved by the ministry were never implemented in most towns, especially in the central region.
Mabala castigated town clerks and planners, especially in Kampala, for approving inappropriate construction designs without ample parking space, which he said caused congestion.
“Slums and other small informal settlements will increase if the development of urban centres is not well planned. We should shift from horizontal to vertical housing,†he said.
Town clerks blamed the failure to implement urban plans on interference from politicians.
Michael Werikhe, the state minister for lands, housing and urban development, urged town clerks and chairpersons to put in place measures aimed at protecting the environment in their areas.
“Rapid urbanisation and resultant immigration has placed enormous pressure on the capacity of the urban authorities,†Werikhe said, calling for orderly development in urban centres.
He was optimistic that the National Urban Policy, which is being drafted, would streamline development in urban areas.