Kamuli receives municipality status with mixed feelings

By Geoffrey Namukoye in Kamuli

WHEN Parliament approved Kamuli Town Council as one of the 19 new municipalities, residents of Kamuli district welcomed the development with mixed reactions. 

During celebrations for the achievement held at Kamuli Bus Park over the weekend, the Deputy Mayor Joyce Nakyesa told residents to celebrate instead of living in fear of losing their property. 

“You will not be evicted like what is happening in Kampala. All you need to know is the value of your property has now appreciated” she said. 

Nakyesa’s comment was riding on the prevailing mood where observers noted that, given the fact that Kamuli has no sound local revenue base, the ‘whip’ will be turned onto residents for sustainability of the municipality. 

Refereeing to the proverbial tough who get going when the going gets tough, Peruth Nantono, a stationer could not hide her worries about impending increase in rent. 

“Only those with bigger (working) capital will thrive in this town! I am even wondering why people are jubilating” Nantono said. 

Owners of old buildings have expressed worries too. 

“Those with old buildings will be asked to break or refurbish them to acceptable standards” said Joseph Sebaduka. 

However, the Kamuli town clerk Ronald Ross Baganzi observed that the municipality will come with more opportunities than perceived challenges. 

“Land belongs to the people, if there are development plans, there are guidelines, so people should not worry” he said. 

Baganzi additionally noted that over 300 jobs are being created, let alone an increased resource envelope.

Whereas they were conspicuously absent during the celebration, Kamuli legislators are under attack for keeping silent when Kamuli municipality status was being sidelined. 

“I wonder if we only have Rebecca Kadaga as an MP! How could Betty Nambooze, Cecilia Ogwal and (Paul) Mwiru speak for Kamuli as though we have no representatives in the house?” wondered Muzamiru Mbooma a resident of Kamuli. 

“Our MPs were either sleeping or absent when the interest of Kamuli was on the floor of parliament” said Joshua Balondemu.