Focus On Poverty Alleviation Rather Than Asking for Municipality Status-Museveni
“These demands for municipalities and cities are often pushed by politicians, not for development but for their own interests,” Museveni said.
President Yoweri Museveni has said that elevating town councils to municipality or city status does not directly help people escape poverty, emphasizing that such moves are often politically motivated. Leaders in Luwero District, led by LC5 Chairperson Erastus Kibirango, have been advocating for the elevation of Luwero and Bombo town councils to municipalities.
They argue that the areas merit such status due to their large populations, expansive size, and historical significance in the National Resistance Army (NRA) liberation struggle. The leaders also pointed out that Bombo previously held municipality status before being downgraded during the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government. The local leaders accuse President Museveni of sidelining Luwero, the region that played a critical role in bringing him to power, while creating cities and municipalities elsewhere.
They cited a recent presidential directive to split Tororo District to create Mulanda and Mukuju Districts, as well as a new city. According to the leaders, municipality status would attract government funding for infrastructure such as roads, markets, and other services.
However, while addressing journalists from Greater Luwero at State Lodge in Nakazi Village, Luwero Town, President Museveni dismissed the push for municipalities as being politically self-serving.“These demands for municipalities and cities are often pushed by politicians, not for development but for their own interests,” Museveni said.
He noted that in areas where cities and municipalities have been created, residents often face challenges such as burdensome property taxes and illegal annexation of land. He reiterated that the focus should instead be on meaningful development initiatives like the Parish Development Model (PDM). “People need income, security, jobs, and infrastructure. Should we concentrate on new cities and districts or poverty alleviation? I choose the latter,” Museveni stated.
He added that many residents in newly created cities continue to live in poverty, underscoring that urban status alone is not a solution to socio-economic challenges. Nonetheless, Museveni said he would present the matter of elevating Luwero and Bombo to municipalities before Cabinet for a final decision.
During the same media engagement, the president announced plans to establish a Skilling Hub in Greater Luwero and Mukono districts. The hub will train over 12,000 youths annually in vocational skills, to promote employment, wealth creation, and sustainable development.
