Gulu has rocky start as city

Jul 02, 2020

As Gulu city residents welcome the city status, the town still faces challenges of abuse of public infrastructure, such as zebra crossings, pedestrians’ walkways and the green belts.

As Gulu city residents welcome the city status, the town still faces challenges of abuse of public infrastructure, such as zebra crossings, pedestrians' walkways and the green belts.

Bodabodas have turned the walkways into parking lots as they wait for customers. Some even ride on the walkways.

 The walkways were constructed using sh5b from the Japanese International Co-operation Agency (JICA).

Women and children have turned the walkways into paved carpets for selling merchandise, especially food items.

 According to George Aligec Lapir, the president of Gulu Municipal (City) Development Forum, this kind of behaviour gives the city a bad image.

Aligec said Gulu city should also find a solution for the street children and prostitutes, who loiter around the streets.

Labeja

GULU MAYOR HOPEFUL

Given the fact that the former Gulu Municipality had scored highest among all the municipalities in the country over the years, Gulu City Council is expected to be fast-growing among the seven regional cities, whose operations kicked off yesterday, according to mayor Lt. George Labeja.

"This is not a new task. It is the same role and responsibility. The only thing that has changed is the name and status and maybe the funding from the central government has to double or triple. The mindset of the people must also change to city standards. Therefore, I and four other members of the executive, who are starting the city leadership, must be united so that we build a firm foundation for the city, with the support of the people," Labeja said.

He said this after appointing the interim executive, which will embark on a cleaning exercise to make the city look neat. The executive will be responsible for ensuring cleanliness in the city, organising businesses, as well as providing parking spaces for taxis, buses and bodabodas.

Labeja said a new office complex and hall that can accommodate 1,000 people will be constructed at Layibi using funds from the central government.

Labeja said since Gulu is known to be an agricultural town, the city will be developed into a strong agro-processing and industrial hub, including rice and fruit processing, as well as beef production.

He said with power plants at Karuma, Ayago and Aruu Falls, Gulu city will have power lines suitable for industrial growth and other investments.

Labeja said the council will undertake government's plan to upgrade Gulu airport to international standards so that international flights can resume as it was in the 1960s.

"We shall also encourage city dwellers and landlords to immediately stop littering the city and start using standard bins, which will be placed in strategic locations.

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