Mbale town has come of age and deserves a city status
EDITOR—A walk through Mbale town recently showed me that there is very little difference between it and Kampala city save for a few more skyscrapers which are expected to be in a city anyway.
EDITOR—A walk through Mbale town recently showed me that there is very little difference between it and Kampala city save for a few more skyscrapers which are expected to be in a city anyway.
The 2008 Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates put the population of Mbale town beyond 84,000 inhabitants which has since increased dramatically. The road network is not any different with Mbale having a greater potential of reviving its much acclaimed architectural prowess that obtained in the 60s.
This is what prompted the late Dr. Obote to describe Mbale as the “jewel of East Africaâ€. The Bugisu Cooperative Union which was once the strongest vehicle for community mobilisation, initiative and transformation and a study centre for East and Central Africa is now on a path to recovery.
Mbale boasts of over five top-end hotels, over 10 mid-range ones with the possibility of more springing up when city status is granted. Shopping malls and arcades are now a common sight. These may not be crucial prerequisites for a city status but unfortunately the only city we have has only these as its dominant features.
Therefore, the argument that some requirements are not met should not even arise because the proponents have absolutely no moral authority or basis to judge Mbale. Mbale stands at a vantage point in a region that boasts of burgeoning trade with southern Sudan and thriving commerce with neighbouring Kenya.
City status comes with the heavy responsibility of keeping up to international standards which Mbale needs for revival. This will decongest the now irritating and over-populated Kampala city. A shining and promising Mbale city may pile pressure on the capital city to style up to international standards.
Kuloba Wesaka
kulobahenry@yahoo.co.uk
The 2008 Uganda Bureau of Statistics estimates put the population of Mbale town beyond 84,000 inhabitants which has since increased dramatically. The road network is not any different with Mbale having a greater potential of reviving its much acclaimed architectural prowess that obtained in the 60s.
This is what prompted the late Dr. Obote to describe Mbale as the “jewel of East Africaâ€. The Bugisu Cooperative Union which was once the strongest vehicle for community mobilisation, initiative and transformation and a study centre for East and Central Africa is now on a path to recovery.
Mbale boasts of over five top-end hotels, over 10 mid-range ones with the possibility of more springing up when city status is granted. Shopping malls and arcades are now a common sight. These may not be crucial prerequisites for a city status but unfortunately the only city we have has only these as its dominant features.
Therefore, the argument that some requirements are not met should not even arise because the proponents have absolutely no moral authority or basis to judge Mbale. Mbale stands at a vantage point in a region that boasts of burgeoning trade with southern Sudan and thriving commerce with neighbouring Kenya.
City status comes with the heavy responsibility of keeping up to international standards which Mbale needs for revival. This will decongest the now irritating and over-populated Kampala city. A shining and promising Mbale city may pile pressure on the capital city to style up to international standards.
Kuloba Wesaka
kulobahenry@yahoo.co.uk