State Minister for Local Government, Jennifer Namuyangu, has ordered Masaka Municipal Council leaders to withdraw the lawsuit against the state over their demand for city status.
Yesterday, the chairpersons of districts in the greater Masaka region led by Masaka district chairperson Jude Mbabaali filed a lawsuit in the High Court, demanding an explanation why Masaka Municipality is not being elevated to city status, despite having all the necessary requirements.
Last week, government launched the operationalization of five cities that were recently elevated from municipality status. The cities to be include Arua, Mbarara, Gulu, Fort Portal and Jinja. They assume city status in the fiscal year 2019/2020.
The Minister however, said Masaka was considered, only that it will come after the operationalisation of the first selected cities. “Central Uganda was catered for by the current Kampala city, so government had to look in other regions like northern, eastern and other regions therefore, I call upon Jude Mbabaali and other members to withdraw their suit”
Masaka leaders contend that their area is marginalized adding that it was one of the few regions that was supposed to be upgraded to a city status. They averred that Masaka meets all the criteria such as a sewer plant that will supply water in the city and a population of more than 10,000 as it is stipulated in the constitution of Uganda.
Masaka is in the four batch of six cities under studies for elevation to a status and conclusion will be made by the end of financial year 2019/20. The other cities are; Moroto Nakasongola, Soroti, Kabale and Wakiso. They will commence operations in the F/Y 2023/24.
The second batch of two cities which include Mbale and Hoima, the Oil city will be operationalised in the financial year 2021/ 2022 and The Third batch of two Cities that include Lira and Entebbe will be operationalized in the F/ Y 2022/2023.
