By Mulengera Reporters
A disagreement has erupted between various leaders in Nakasongola District over the boundaries of the much-anticipated industrial city. The government set 2025 as the year for operationalising Nakasongola City, one of the administrative areas which were elevated to city status by virtue of a motion passed by Parliament in 2020. Area leaders have since embarked on a consultation process as well as mobilising communities to embrace the new status.
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However, there are disagreements about the boundaries of the city. While some leaders suggest that the entire district is elevated, others are proposing that the city should only take up an area within a radius of 10 kilometres from Nakasongola Town Council.
Nakasongola District Chairman Sam Kigula says that some boundary concerns rotate around fears that the city may lead to the disappearance of Buruuli culture.
Buruuli Chiefdom Prime Minister Samuel Kasirye says that the majority of Baruuli living in Nakasongola may face eviction from the city leading to the disappearance of their culture since they do not own land. Kasirye proposes that the city only covers Nakasongola County and that the other county known as Budyebo be retained as the district for purposes of preserving Buruuli culture.
Workers councillor Paul Ssejjemba warns that demarcating a large area for the elevation of city status may not be beneficial to the residents. Ssejjemba says that he will vote for the elevation of the Nakasongola Town Council and add areas within only a 10-kilometre radius.
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But Public Service Minister Wilson Muruuli Mukasa says that although the city will influence the Buruuli culture due to the influx of other people, it may not lead to its disappearance. Muruuli, who chairs the 13-member committee that is fast-tracking the city, however, said it may not beneficial to elevate the entire district into city status.
Mukasa said more consultations will be done to find a common position on the boundaries in consideration of various concerns.
In his circular dated September 15, 2021, addressed to accounting officers on the preparation of budget frameworks for 2022/23, Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development said that five cities which include Nakasongola, Kabale, Entebbe, Moroto and Wakiso will be operationalized but funded through the same modality as the current batch-URN (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 0200900416 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
