UGANDA, Mbarara | Real Muloodi News | Mbarara City’s Mayor, Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, has sounded a critical warning to the local council and city leadership of Mbarara District regarding the pressing issue of land fragmentation.
He emphasised the need to combat this phenomenon to prevent the emergence of slums, a growing concern in many urban areas.
Addressing the challenge during the official opening of the Formula 21 Pitstop Auto Service and the African Initiative for Relief Development (AIRD) Multi-skilling Center at Rwobuyenje Cell in Mbarara District, Mayor Kakyebezi stressed the importance of maintaining standardised plot sizes.
He urged the local community to avoid dividing their land into tiny plots, which contributes to the development of slums.
Kakyebezi emphasised, “They (slums) scare away investors from putting up multibillion projects in places where structures are out of order. If investors find substandard infrastructure in a location, they may withdraw their investments. We need to maintain the standard plot sizes of 50×100 and 100×100 and avoid anything smaller.”
The newly inaugurated automobile repair and maintenance service facility, along with the multi-skilling centre, is situated on approximately one and a half acres of land.
It is designed to empower youth, women, refugees, people with disabilities, internally displaced populations (IDPs), and their host communities by equipping them with basic employable skills training.
Mayor Kakyebezi highlighted the significance of the centre in providing practical knowledge to individuals who may not enter the business or corporate world.
He explained that such centres benefit low-income earners, refugee camps, and street children, helping them seek or create employment, thus becoming valuable contributors to society.
AIRD’s Chief Executive Officer, Fikru Abebe, announced the organisation’s plan to conduct four to six intakes each year, with each intake accommodating 40 students.
He emphasised the long-term commitment to addressing the challenges faced by refugees, unemployed youth, and internally displaced persons.
AIRD, known for its extensive work as a logistics partner for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), focuses on vehicle maintenance, comprehensive construction projects (shelters, bridges, hospitals, schools, and roads), and infrastructure development in 12 African countries.
This experience paved the way for a partnership with Corporation for Africa and Overseas (CFAO) Motors, formerly known as Toyota Uganda, a renowned name in vehicle maintenance and repair.
Fikru Abebe stressed that the collaboration between AIRD and Toyota Uganda would help develop skills within the target community.
The vehicle maintenance and repair aspect, connected to the skilling centre, not only promotes employment but also generates income, leading to community transformation.
Thomas Pelletier, the Managing Director of CFAO Motors, underscored the partnership’s unique benefit. Profits generated from the service centre will directly benefit local communities and the country through vocational training programs for the target groups.
This partnership is a win-win situation for both Toyota brand users and the local community, as it ensures quality car repair and maintenance services while supporting community development.
In Uganda, there are 11 refugee settlements, accommodating approximately 1.4 million refugees from various countries.
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