MPs want capital moved from Kampala

Feb 04, 2010

Members of Parliament (MPs) have proposed that the Government relocates the city to a well designed and better-planned area.

By Catherine Bekunda and Henry Mukasa

Members of Parliament (MPs) have proposed that the Government relocates the city to a well designed and better-planned area.

They noted that Kampala was congested and an attempt to redesign it would not be affordable.

The MPs were on Wednesday debating the Physical Planning Bill, which will ensure orderly human settlement and development in the country.

“There has been so much damage done on planning in Kampala that it’s irreparable,” Tom Butime (NRM) observed.

Elias Lukwago (DP) pointed out that Kampala’s problem was that illegal structures were approved after completion. “Imperial Royale Hotel is in a road reserve and Nakumatt’s land was designated to house a five-star hotel,” he explained.

Betty Amongi (Independent) said Kampala as “one big slum”. “It is common to find residential areas, commercial activities, churches and petrol stations all competing for the same space. What would happen if a petrol station near a commercial building or a hospital caught fire?” she asked.

Abraham Byandala, the chairman of the physical infrastructure committee, observed that the Bill was long overdue and passing it would help rectify the anomalies in construction and settlement.

He explained that urban and rural development lacked guidance. “Road reserves, building spaces and service lanes are abused.”

Alice Alaso (FDC), the only MP who opposed the passing of the Bill, said: “We cannot continue to provide piecemeal legislation to this country, we need to provide comprehensive laws that focus on the future of Uganda.”

The Bill, if enacted, will replace the Town and Country Planning Act of 1951.

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