Parliament Unanimously Passes Creation Of 15 Cities Even When There’s No Money To Kick-Start Them

Fort Portal is set to be upgraded to city status/online photo

Uganda’s Parliament Tuesday unanimously passed the creation of 15 new cities.

 313 MPs were present, with 312 voting in  favour while one voted against.

It’s only Sarah Opendi, the Minister of State for Mineral Development that voted against   the motion to create new cities and municipalities, stating that it’s not right for Parliament to consider creation of new cities without first knowing their economic implications.

She said government has just borrowed 600m euros to support the current budget.

Fort Portal, Gulu, Mbarara, Jinja , Arua, Masaka and Mbale set to commence in July 2020.

Hoima, Soroti and Lira Cities shall take effect on 1^st July 2021.

Entebbe shall take effect on 1st July 2022.

Moroto, Nakasongola, Kabale and Wakiso Cities shall take effect on 1st July 2023.

It’s estimated that about Shs130bn will be budgeted for the operation of these cities.

However, the cities set to take off on July 1^st 2020 were noted budgeted for in the recently passed Shs45.5 trillion budget for FY2020/21.