UGANDA, Masaka | Real Muloodi News | The Roads Committee in Masaka City made orders regarding the need for strict enforcement and implementation of the physical planning regulations. This move is to stop the rampant and high growth of slums in the city.
The Roads Committee, chaired by Kimanya-Kabonera Division Member of Parliament, Dr Abed Bwanika, ordered the city’s physical planning and law enforcement departments to stop the division of land into parcels and the sale of small plots of land. The construction of roads not catered for in the city plan has also been banned.
Dr Bwanika raised his concern about the disorganised construction of houses, mostly in areas recently added to the former Masaka Municipality. This is all in pursuit of fulfilling the requirements for the attainment of city status.
The zones with poorly planned housing facilities include Misaali and Kyalusoowe in the Nyendo-Mukugwe division and the parts of Kirimya and Gayaza in the Kimanya-Kobonera division.
Dr Bwanika is worried that the way the new areas are developing in terms of infrastructure is a big threat to the city’s physical plan and architectural designs. Because of this, there is a possibility of more slums in the area.
The Member of Parliament of Nyendo-Mukungwe Division, Mathias Mpuuga, says that the rise of slums is contributed to by unregulated land brokers who operate in the area.
He challenged the city council leadership to do everything within their power to stop the creation of unplanned developments in the city.
The Masaka Deputy City Clerk Emmanuel Gakyalo acknowledged the concern about the rising slums and also revealed that they are thinking of a short-term solution as they await the development and release of the physical plan. It will provide a permanent solution to the problem.
He says that the City Physical Planning department will issue a public circular guiding the standard measurements of plots and housing styles acceptable in the city.
The City mayor, Florence Namayanja, also revealed that as the city authorities, they intend to engage lower local council leaders to stop witnessing sale agreements of plots below dimensions of 50 by 100 meters.
In June 2022, Masaka City physical planner, Martin Kigozi, was arrested for allegedly approving the construction of buildings in gazette road reserves and greenbelts. This was after the Roads Committee of Masaka City had intercepted a private developer who was constructing a perimeter wall that was partly blocking Nalubaale road.
The private developer, after being questioned by the Roads Committee disclosed an approved structural plan from the office of the physical planner. This outraged the committee members, the Resident City Commissioner, Ronald Katende Kinene, who altogether initiated the arrest of the physical planner.
Physical planning in Uganda is provided for by the Physical Planning Act, 2010 and the regulations thereto.
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