Summary:
- “The issue of Kabale attaining city status concerns all of us. Leaders, the time is now to gauge your capacity to deliver or risk being judged for negative decisions in the future,” Rev. Fr. Kwehangana said.
KABALE: The formator at St. Charles Lwanga Seminary Nyakibale, Rev. Fr. Mathias Kwehangana, has called upon leaders in Kabale District to unite and advocate for the operationalization of Kabale City status.
In his homily on Christmas Day at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Kabale Municipality, Rev. Fr. Kwehangana emphasized the importance of collaborative leadership to achieve this milestone.
Quoting Jeremiah 31:29, Rev. Fr. Kwehangana warned that failure by Kabale leaders to engage in fruitful deliberations towards city status would hinder development in the region.
“The issue of Kabale attaining city status concerns all of us. Leaders, the time is now to gauge your capacity to deliver or risk being judged for negative decisions in the future,” Rev. Fr. Kwehangana said.
He urged leaders to prioritize decisions that benefit Kabale and the entire Kigezi sub-region.
“We are striving for equality and progress. Let us wish Uganda well by ensuring that Kabale becomes more developed than it is now,” he added.
CUE IN REV FR KWEHANGANA…..ON LEADERS……RR//
Elders Form Pressure Group for Kabale City:
In a related development, elders from the greater Kabale District have formed a forum to push the government to operationalize Kabale City. The forum is chaired by retired Major General Timothy Mutebile, with Caleb Turyamutunga as deputy chair and former Kabale District National Resistance Movement (NRM) returning officer Morris Mugenga Keitaba as secretary. Maj. Gen. Mutebile attributed the delay in Kabale City’s operationalization to selfish political leaders.
“This is a matter of leadership and accountability. Selfish interests have stalled progress,” Maj. Gen. Mutebile remarked.
CUE IN MAJ GEN MUTEBILE……ON THE ISSUE…….RR/ENG//
Minister Musasizi Cites Financial Constraints:
However, State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi in September reiterated the government’s stance that it lacks funds to operationalize additional regional cities, including Kabale.
While recent media reports hinted at the possibility of these cities becoming operational in the next financial year, Minister Musasizi dismissed these claims, citing economic unviability.
“Some people are pushing for Kabale City to create more constituencies for their political gain. This is selfish. The money would be better spent on roads, industrialization, and projects that benefit a broader population,” Minister Musasizi argued.
He noted that the government is still grappling with funding administrative units created in the previous term, such as town councils.
“Adding more cities will only worsen the financial strain. Cities don’t bring development; development brings cities. Let’s focus on building factories and infrastructure in Kabale, and the city status will naturally follow,” he added.
The Road to Kabale City Status:
Although Kabale City was approved by Parliament in 2020 alongside Moroto, Nakasongola, Wakiso, and Entebbe, its operationalization has been delayed due to a lack of funding for boundary demarcation and other prerequisites. The government has repeatedly cited insufficient resources as the main obstacle.
