Nabbanja Assures New Cities Funding

By Our Reporter

Government is set to amend the Local Government Act to streamline the provisions on the administration of local governments, the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, has said.

“The proposed amendment bill has been prepared and will soon be submitted to cabinet for consideration and later brought here [Parliament] for approval,” said Nabbanja during the sitting held on Thursday, 15 February 2024

Nabbanja was responding to concerns raised by Abed Bwanika, National Unity Platform (NUP), Member of Parliament representing Kimaanya-Kabonera Division regarding the governance of new cities. 

Bwanika noted that 10 cities that were operationalized on 01 July 2020 have been operating for the last three years without clear guidelines on asset sharing with the districts from which they were curved.

Section 188 of the Local Government Act instructs that at the creation of a new local government unit, the Minister shall ensure equitable sharing of property between the original and new governments.

Bwanika observed that the case-by-case ad hoc management of the matter has negatively impacted service delivery in the affected local governments.

In response, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja said funding to finance the resettlement of 10 districts of Masaka, Mbarara, Kabarole, Hoima, Arua, Gulu, Lira, Mbale, Soroti, and Jinja was requested by the Ministry of Local Government under the current financial year. Funds were, however, not allocated.

“The matter has been presented to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in the next budget call circular for financial year 2024/2025,” said Nabbanja.

On gazettement of sub-counties hosting new district headquarters, as town councils, the Prime Minister said the Ministry of Local Government has compiled necessary data from local governments that have already determined