GIDEON TUMWIJUKYE
Kigezi residents, together with their local leaders, on Monday tasked ministers from the region to take the lead in advocating for the operationalization of Kabale Tourism City.
This resolution was made during a meeting dubbed the “Kabale City Claim Public Rally,” held in Kabale Municipality to express concerns over the delayed operationalization of Kabale Tourism City.
In 2020, the Parliament of Uganda approved 15 cities to be operational in a phased manner. Seven of these cities, including Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Mbarara, Fort Portal, Mbale, and Masaka, became operational effective 1st July 2020. Hoima City followed in 2021, while Lira and Entebbe started in 2022. However, Moroto, Nakasongola, Soroti, Kabale, and Wakiso cities, which were scheduled to start in 2023, have not yet become operational.
According to the State Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (General Duties), Henry Ariganyira Musasiizi, the operationalization of these cities was delayed due to limited resources.
This explanation angered a section of Kigezi residents, prompting them to express their concerns by organizing a public rally.
During the rally, residents called upon ministers from Kigezi, including David Bahati (Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives), Chris Baryomunsi (Minister of Information, Communications Technology, and National Guidance), Jim Muhwezi (Minister of Security), and Henry Musasiizi (State Minister of Finance and Economic Planning), to lead the campaign for the operationalization of Kabale Tourism City.
The rally concluded with a resolution that preparations for the operationalization of the city should commence immediately.
