Government has finally approved Mbale’s city status.
This was revealed by Don Wanyama, the Senior Presidential Press Secretary on Tuesday.
“Mbale City will come into force in July 2020, among the first batch of cities, Hon Jennifer Namuyangu, the Local Govt State Minister, has announced. This is ahead of @KagutaMuseveni visit to Bugisu for the #M7WealthCreationTour. @lindahNabusayi@DenisNabz @jkwasikye,” Wanyama said in a tweet.
In May, 2019, Cabinet approved the creation of cities, in a phased manner, over the course of the next one to three years.
Mbale was among the 15 municipalities approved as regional cities but it was not included in the first lot, which is scheduled to start operations in July, 2020.
The cities in the first lot are Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal and Mbarara. Fort Portal was granted city status as a tourism city and will be planned and built around tour and travel inspirations.
The rest are regional cities and by virtue of strategic interests and populations, are expected to ease pressure on Kampala, which has been the city and capital of Uganda for more than 50 years.
The Cabinet’s decision angered residents and elders of Bugisu sub-region who said that it was very unfortunate that Mbale was being put on hold after a long time of waiting.
They also accused their area Members of Parliament) of lacking lobbying skills.
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