UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The Ministry of Local Government is pursuing a financial remedy, seeking a budget allocation of at least USh10 billion to facilitate the relocation of mother district headquarters from the boundaries of recently established cities.
Raphael Magyezi, the Minister of Local Government, underscored the urgency of securing this funding to address escalating disputes between districts and city authorities nationwide.
The operationalisation of new regional cities in July 2020 led to the expansion of boundaries, absorbing regions from mother districts into the newly formed cities, including Masaka, Mbale, Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Fort Portal, Mbarara, Hoima, Arua, and Jinja.
Tensions have arisen due to a directive from the Attorney General, mandating the transfer of immovable assets from districts to cities. This directive requires districts to relocate their headquarters, establish new administrative offices outside the cities, and transfer assets to the newly formed city administrations.
Minister Magyezi disclosed that the Ministry is contemplating allocating a minimum of one billion shillings to each affected mother district to facilitate their re-establishment.
He presented and defended this proposal to the cabinet, awaiting approval for a supplementary budget allocation from parliament.
Until the required funds are secured, Magyezi emphasised that the new cities and mother districts will coexist.
Magyezi also issued a warning to leaders in the mother local governments against disposing of land and properties within the boundaries of the new cities.
He clarified that such decisions fall under the purview of central authorities and agencies.
In response, Andrew Lukyamuzi Batemyetto, the Masaka LCV Chairperson, opposed surrendering properties, including the district headquarters, to Masaka City without adequate financial compensation.
The district council had initiated the process of auctioning affected properties to secure funds for relocation, a move cautioned against by Magyezi.
Peter Ssenkungu, the Masaka District Workers’ representative, expressed the district’s decision to disregard the Attorney General’s advice, deeming it unreasonable to forfeit assets to cities.
Ssenkungu urged the government to promptly allocate funds for reestablishing the mother districts, emphasising the desire to operate without undue pressure and conflicts from city leaders threatening their existence.
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