Uganda’s cities were created prematurely, according to a parliamentary report that challenges the decision to elevate 10 municipalities between July 2020 and July 2021. Lawmakers say the process ignored legal requirements and left major gaps in governance, staffing, and funding.
Between July 2020 and July 2021, Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal, Mbale, Masaka, Lira, Soroti, and Hoima gained city status alongside Kampala. Parliament had also approved upgrades for Entebbe, Kabale, Moroto, Nakasongola, and Wakiso by July 2023, but the government postponed them. The House Committee on Government Assurance concluded that most new cities fail to meet the minimum standards in the Local Government Act.
MPs criticised the government for not passing laws to guide city governance, structure, and operations. Without clear legislation, city leaders face overlapping duties and unclear mandates. Committee Chairperson Dr Abed Bwanika said the creation process ignored the law’s criteria. Only Arua, Gulu, Jinja, and Mbarara have approved physical development plans. Even in those cities, authorities sometimes fail to follow them.
Staffing shortages affect nearly all the cities. Masaka has 60% of positions vacant, while Gulu has filled only 38.4% of posts. Some departments still operate from former district offices due to limited space. In Mbarara, part of the city’s property is rented to private businesses. Most cities also lack road maintenance equipment, worsening infrastructure problems. Many residents live in unplanned settlements, which increases the strain on services.
Funding levels for several cities have dropped since they were created. Mbarara’s allocation fell from Shs40.75 billion in FY2019/2020 to Shs29.83 billion in FY2022/2023. Jinja’s funding declined from Shs42.26 billion to Shs36.26 billion in the same period. MPs also linked poor service delivery to salary disparities. Sub-county chairpersons earn Shs400,000 a month, while city councillors get Shs250,000 before tax. Executive members in Mbarara and Soroti earn between Shs600,000 and Shs700,000, while city chairpersons receive Shs2 million.
Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi introduced the motion to create 15 cities in April 2020, nine months before the 2021 elections. Critics say the timing was political. Speaker Anita Among reminded MPs that Parliament itself added more cities to the original government plan. The move has sparked questions about whether Uganda’s urbanisation policy serves political goals or genuine development needs.
Parliament directed the Ministry of Local Government to pass a specific law for cities or amend the Local Government Act within three months. MPs also instructed the government to secure sustainable funding before granting city status to other municipalities, fill staffing gaps within a month, and enforce all approved development plans. Minister Magyezi accepted the recommendations and pledged to act. He confirmed that Cabinet is reviewing plans to upgrade Tororo Municipality to city status.