UGANDA, Mbarara | Real Muloodi News | Mbarara City has revealed its comprehensive five-year development plan, outlining key areas of focus to drive growth and progress.
The plan encompasses various sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, job creation, and industrial development.
Under the development plan, significant investments will be made in the education sector. This includes the construction of 70 classrooms across 18 primary schools, as well as the construction of three-unit staff houses in nine primary schools, among other improvements.
In the health sector, there are plans to upgrade five Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs, upgrade three Health Centre IIIs to Health Centre IVs, and elevate the existing Health Centre IV to a City Hospital.
Improving infrastructure is a key focus of the plan, which includes the paving of new roads and the rehabilitation and routine maintenance of streetlights.
The development plan also aims to promote job creation through agro-industrialisation, value addition for increased household incomes, and the establishment of an industrial hub.
During the plan’s launch, Minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi urged city leaders to review and revise the development plan, as its implementation had experienced delays. The plan was initially scheduled to commence in 2021.
Magyezi encouraged leaders to identify priorities and areas that can be achieved within the next three years. He emphasised that Mbarara City not only serves as a regional hub for Greater Ankole but also has potential economic ties with neighbouring countries like Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Tanzania.
To execute the ambitious development plan, over USh200 billion will be required, with 83 per cent expected to come from the central government and 14 per cent from locally generated revenue.
Mbarara City Mayor, Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, expressed concerns about the inadequate funding for critical infrastructure despite having the development plan in place. He cited logistical challenges as a factor contributing to the delays.
Arthur Bainomugisha, Executive Director of ACODE, highlighted the need for proper planning in local governments and emphasised the lack of planning statistics during the budgeting process.
On the other hand, Godfrey Tumusiime, Mbarara South Division Speaker and Councilor, representing the Kicwamba ward, raised concerns about the lack of consultation with the divisions and residents during the plan’s formulation.
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