VANESSA A
Members of the Urban Authorities Association of Uganda (UAAU) have been urged to focus on development and effective service delivery.
This call was made by the Guest of Honor, Charles Magumba, Commissioner for Urban Development in the Ministry of Local Government, during the Western Regional UAAU meeting held today at the Riverside Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality.
Magumba emphasized the importance of proper land management, urging leaders not to dispose of government land under their jurisdiction but to register and take ownership of it. He added that the Ministry of Lands is working closely with the urban authorities to provide support for physical planning. Regarding environmental management, he called for the recycling of plastic bottles and proper waste management practices. He also encouraged leaders to follow up on beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to ensure responsible use of the resources.
The meeting brought together town clerks, mayors, speakers, and treasurers. UAAU, which was founded in 1959, is an umbrella association for urban authorities in Uganda and currently comprises 11 cities, 25 city divisions, and 31 municipalities. Its mission is “Good Governance for Sustainable Urban Development.”
Rukungiri Municipality Mayor Charles Makuru, the host of the event, expressed gratitude for having the regional meeting hosted in Rukungiri. He noted that the municipality is performing well in implementing government programs, particularly in the education sector.
Makuru also highlighted ongoing efforts to preserve the environment, including tree planting in schools. He mentioned the construction of a maternity ward at Rwamahwa Health Centre IV but acknowledged that a lack of equipment and delayed government budgeting have slowed implementation.
Dr. Sanya Wilson, Mayor of Koboko Municipality and President of UAAU, challenged fellow mayors to think progressively and consider land banking as a strategy for long-term development. He encouraged leaders to remain focused on development, believe in themselves, and maintain unity within the association.
Sam Arinaitwe, chairperson of the central division in Kabale Municipality, said UAAU meetings provide a platform for leaders to share ideas on town development and collective lobbying to the government. He pointed out that urban growth is often driven by people coming from different places to support local businesses. However, he raised concerns that many resolutions passed in such meetings are not implemented due to conflicting personal interests among stakeholders.
