Govt ready to operationalise new cities

INFRASTRUCTURE

The minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi has assured leaders in the newly created cities that money to operationalize them will be provided even though it has not been included in the 2020/2021 financial year budget.

Magyezi made the assurance last week while giving a keynote address during a zoom meeting organized by Kabarole Research and Resource Center (KRC), to discuss the Role of Central Government in the Development of Fort Portal Tourism City.

"We are going to provide funding for the new local governments. We couldn't budget for the cities before they are created. Don't worry we shall find the money and have them operational come July 1," Magyezi said.

The cities that will be operational as of July 1, include Arua, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbarara, Jinja, Gulu, Mbale and Masaka

Magyezi who is also the MP for Igara East called on the people of Fort Portal to give the city full support and focus on developing it.

"Build Fort Portal not by words but action and avoid most of the challenges we see in our city Kampala," Magyezi said.

He noted that emphasis should be put on physical planning to ensure the cities are organized, well planned and friendly for the dwellers.

"We are going to provide funds and technical guidance to plan where industries should be, agree on where churches, residential areas and central business district should be. We want organized cities," Magyezi said.

He urged leaders to guide the masses and help them manage expectations of the city. Magyezi cautioned leaders not to sell government assets without the guidance of the minister.

"All sales, lease, mortgage, disposing of government land or exchange of physical property is stopped with immediate effect.

"Why are you selling government land? Imagine if the fore leaders sold the land where would you be able to build your headquarters?

Magezi asked the Kabarole district to identify new land to establish new district headquarters since the current ones fall within the city.

"You cannot have a district within a district, identify land and we shall give you money to build new headquarters. But don't think of selling the current land or property because it does not belong to you. The money that was used did not come from your pockets" Magaezi said.

Monica Rubombora, the founder and owner of Rubo Management Services (PTY) LTD, who moderated the meeting urged the leaders to reflect on an American native saying "We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from the children.

 "We are in this world but we are soon leaving it to our grandchildren, so in everything, we do let us think about them. Let us plan a better city for our children," Rubombora said.

Patrick Birungi, the executive director of Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) urged the leaders to establish other revenue sources so as to improve on service delivery.

"Don't wait for government, look for other revenue sources and plan for the city well," Birungi said.

Alex Ruhunda the MP of Fort Portal Municipality asked fellow leaders to put away their differences and focus on delivering a city that will change the lives of the people in Fort Portal.

"If we are to move forward, we need to work together and have a common goal. We must create opportunities for our people so that they enjoy the city," Ruhunda said.

The zoom meeting was attended by Toro elders, religious leaders, political leaders from Kabarole and Fort Portal local governments.