Written By Dr Stella B. Kyohairwe
The creation of 15 new cities has been received with the mixed feeling among Ugandans, some with the enthusiasm of business opportunities, job prospects and infrastructure development dividends. Yet other sections of the populace ragingly refer to this administrative decision as ambitious and unrealistic especially when COVD-19 pandemic has ravaged the national economy. Critical to note is that the new cities are being upgraded from municipalities which are structures of local government system in Uganda currently faced with financial constraints to run the devolved functions. Read full article here

Written By Dr. Fred Muhumuza
The rapid urbanization in Uganda, estimated at 20%, could be more of a legal trend involving deliberate gazetting of Town Boards, Town Councils, Municipal Councils and Cities, rather than a true and natural launch-pad for urbanization. A revision of the policy and practice will certainly be necessary to avoid creating rural ‘enclaves’ inside cities by simply gazetting adjacent areas to increase the geographical coverage of a city. Read full article here

Written By Drake Rukundo
It is widely ‘anticipated’ that a city ought to be an elevation from a Municipal Council status, That it should be set up with consideration of stature, prominence, population size, level of development. Looking at the selective nature behind the creation of cities, it is easy to deduce the balancing act of the Cabinet decision in ensuring each region was represented – with at least a city selected to each of the 15 Regions of Uganda regardless of the other considerations. Read full article here

A comprehensive understanding of urban dynamics is crucial, especially on matters related to urban policy development since policies can effectively assist in addressing negative urban consequences and also ensure that further urban changes occur in a systematic and satisfactory manner. Like many other cities in the world in their infancy, the new cities in Uganda will be growing at a slow pace and such a pace gives them an opportunity and time to properly plan, particularly on issues related to provision of public services needed for this slowly increasing urban population. Read full article here

Written By Walter Akena
The cities’ inaugurals were received with unprecedented celebrations by the citizens; complete with fanfare and merry-making. The euphoria and excitement caused by the regional cities can best be understood by the desire for development in those places. This is hinged on the understanding that the cities provide with them dividends for development opportunities such as growth in infrastructure and social services, and the creation of jobs, among others. The extent to which the cities are going to be sustained will largely depend on how the city managers engage citizens in the policy process.
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Written By Oscord Mark Otile
The desire for smart cities is further driven by several benefits associated with smart cities. For instance, the cities’ administration and management gain more citizen engagement and optimizes operations through real-time data intelligence and intra-agency collaboration and improved daily life of citizens through city services. Smart cities offer visibility into real-time city data for improving mobility, connectivity, and safety services; ease of doing business; increase in locally generated revenue; reduction in the cost of doing business; businesses drive new revenue streams and economic development by enhancing awareness of customer activity and behaviour; and for developers and vendors, the application development of city data helps the city to improve operational efficiencies, engage citizens, and boost economic viability.
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Written By Barbara Ntambirweki
Urbanization is taking place at an unprecedented rate throughout the world. In Uganda, about 19 per cent of its population living in urban centres and it is projected that 30 per cent of Uganda’s almost 42 million people will be urban dwellers by 20351. Kampala currently the biggest city and is urbanizing in a largely unplanned manner with high negative externalities including poor air quality, growth of informal settlements, encroachment on wetlands, inadequate sewage treatment plants to service the city population which is exerting pressure on the environment. In recent years, the need to make cities greener has been acknowledged in Goal 11 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
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