NELSON K
Rukungiri Municipal Council has undertaken a benchmarking visit to Kasese Municipality as part of preparations for the implementation of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) Programme.
The study tour, which began on Monday, brought together both political and technical leaders from Rukungiri Municipality, aiming to learn best practices in urban planning, service delivery, and infrastructure development under the programme.
While hosting the delegation at Kasese Municipal Council Hall on Tuesday afternoon, the Mayor of Kasese Municipality, Chance Kahindo Sibyavugha, welcomed the team and emphasized the importance of strong leadership and teamwork in achieving effective service delivery. He encouraged leaders to address internal challenges collectively, noting that unity and coordination are key drivers of tangible results and economic transformation.
Rukungiri Municipality Mayor, Charles Makuru, expressed appreciation for the warm reception and the opportunity to learn from Kasese’s experience under the USMID programme. He said the visit focused on critical areas such as solid waste management, local revenue enhancement, environmental management, and infrastructure development, including slaughter facilities.
Mayor Makuru highlighted several milestones already achieved in Rukungiri Municipality. These include strengthened collaboration with the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, the establishment of a High Court in coordination with the Judiciary of Uganda, and improved working relations with the Uganda Police Force. He also pointed to progress in road rehabilitation, the construction of a modern theatre at Rukungiri Health Centre IV, and ongoing development projects such as maternity wards being built by the Uganda People’s Defence Force. Additionally, he noted improvements in the education sector through school construction and renovation, as well as strong collaboration with the Office of the Resident District Commissioner and other security agencies.
During the engagement, Kasese Municipal Council’s Senior Planner and USMID Focal Person, Allen Kiiza, outlined the benefits realized from the programme. She cited improved urban beautification, enhanced security through street lighting, growth of the night-time economy, promotion of tourism, and overall economic development.
The Finance Officer of Kasese Municipal Council, Alex Bulemu, shared strategies that have strengthened local revenue collection. These include strong political backing, improved accountability through service delivery and feedback systems, formation of landlords’ associations to enhance communication, and the use of media platforms such as radio to sensitize the public on tax obligations. He also emphasized the importance of maintaining accurate taxpayer registers, managing risks to prevent revenue leakages, promoting voluntary tax compliance, and ensuring reliable reporting for informed decision-making.
In his closing remarks, the Town Clerk of Rukungiri Municipal Council, Isaiah Tumwesigye, expressed gratitude to the Kasese team for sharing valuable insights. He reaffirmed Rukungiri’s commitment to fostering community ownership and ensuring the sustainability of the USMID programme to enhance service delivery and urban development.
