KYAMUHUNGA, BITOOMA TOWN COUNCILS FAIL TO AGREE ON UPGRADE TO MUNICIPALITY

By Okoodi Abooki
www.mknewslink.com
In Bushenyi
Tension is mounting in Kyamuhunga and Bitoma town councils in Igara west constituency Bushenyi district following a resolution to upgrade the two town councils to a municipality.
The resolution to elevate Kyamuhunga-Bitoma a municipal status was passed by Bushenyi district council on the 29th March 2019 so as to improve service and properly plan for the area with a population of more than 180,000 people.
The proposed municipality of 350 square kilometers is comprised of one health center four, six trading centers and 250 square kilometers of roads. It has also got five tea processing factories, thirty primary schools and six secondary schools as well. Although the area has two gravity water flow schemes most parts remain severely water stressed.
However a cross section of residents have rejected the proposal and accused the leaders of trying to impose a municipality on them before they are consulted over the matter.
They said there is no reason for them to hurry for a municipality yet the said town councils are even not one year old.
The prevailing situation forced them to conduct public rallies to mobilize people against the resolution but their move was foiled by police on the orders of Jolly Tibemanya the Resident District Commissioner who claimed that the assembly was illegal and could easily result to a clash between the two parties.
Ketty Gafa the Principal town clerk Kyamuhunga town council says the area is getting little funds from central government which cannot be used to provide better services to the increasing population in the area.
According to the area Mp Raphael Magezi now consulting local leaders over the matter says that its time for the area to be elevated to a municipal status because all the required parameters are in place adding that failure to come up with proper planning at this stage may turn the entire town councils into slums.
He urged people not to politicize the move because it may negatively impact on the development of the area.
The district vice chairperson Peter Mugume Ndyahoza said that the district council passed the resolution basing on the request that had been submitted by the said town councils
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