Leaders in Mpigi District have resolved to push for the elevation of Mpigi Town Council, Kammengo Sub-county, Buwama Town Council, and Buwama sub-county to municipality status, saying the move will improve service delivery, attract investment, and accelerate urban development.
The resolution was reached during a district council sitting on May 7, where councillors unanimously backed the proposal and tasked the district executive committee to begin consultations with the relevant government ministries.
According to local leaders, the proposed municipality would bring together rapidly growing urban and peri-urban areas with a combined population estimated at more than 120,000 people. Growth has been driven largely by expansion along the Kampala-Masaka highway corridor and increasing settlement from the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
Outgoing Mpigi District Chairperson Mr Martin Ssejjemba said the district has experienced significant population growth, expanding trade centres, and rising demand for social services, which justify the elevation.
‘We believe Mpigi has outgrown the standards of a town council. Elevating it to a municipality will increase funding opportunities and improve planning for infrastructure, health and education services,’ Mr. Ssejjemba said.
Outgoing District Speaker Mr. Ronald Ka Kibirige described the council resolution as a historic step aimed at transforming Mpigi into a modern urban centre capable of accommodating future population growth.
‘This is not about prestige, but service delivery. Our people need better roads, proper drainage systems and organised urban planning. Municipality status will help us achieve that,’ Mr. Kibirige said.
Mpigi District Planner Mr Charles Nsobya also supported the move, saying the proposed elevation aligns with the ongoing Greater Kampala Metropolitan development agenda.
‘Mpigi is increasingly becoming part of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan growth corridor. Municipality status will enable better physical planning, coordinated infrastructure development and improved access to government urban development programmes,’ Mr. Nsobya said.
Several councillors welcomed the proposal, arguing that Mpigi’s strategic location along the Kampala-Masaka highway places it in a favourable position to attract investors and government projects.
Mpigi Town Council councillor Mr. Musa Bukenya said the growing number of trading centres and residential settlements demonstrate the need for stronger urban management systems.
‘People are settling here every day because of the proximity to Kampala. We must prepare for that growth through proper planning,’ he said.
Buwama Town Council councillor Mr Steven Masajjage urged residents to support the initiative, saying municipality status would create employment opportunities, especially for the youth.
‘We expect improved markets, better garbage collection and more organised businesses once the area is elevated,’ he said.
Residents who spoke to the Monitor welcomed the proposal but urged leaders to ensure the intended benefits reach ordinary citizens.
Ms. Harriet Atuhaire, a restaurant owner in Mpigi Town Council, appealed to the government to fast-track the process, saying residents have waited for improved urban services for years.
‘We need better roads, drainage and sanitation systems. The town is growing fast, but services remain limited,’ she said.
Ms. Prossy Nanyunja, a trader in Buwama Town Council, said municipality status could improve sanitation and road maintenance.
‘We are tired of poor drainage and dusty roads. If becoming a municipality can solve these problems, then we fully support it,’ she said.
Boda boda rider Mr. John Ssekamatte of Musa Village, Kammengo Sub-county, cautioned leaders against introducing excessive taxes on small businesses after the elevation.
‘We want development, but leaders should avoid heavy taxes that affect low-income earners,’ he said.
Another resident, Ms. Mariam Nakato of Mpigi Town Council, said improved urban planning would help reduce congestion and attract more businesses.
Under Uganda’s Local Governments Act, an area seeking municipality status must meet requirements including a sizeable population, sufficient local revenue base, clear physical development plans, administrative infrastructure, and the capacity to provide urban services such as roads, waste management, and health facilities.
The process involves a council resolution, technical assessment by the district, consultations with the Ministry of Local Government, and approval by Cabinet and Parliament before the municipality can be officially gazetted.
Local leaders said the district technical team will now prepare the required documentation before forwarding the proposal to the Ministry of Local Government for consideration.