Edward Kiwanuka, the City Town Clerk disclosed that part of the money will be used for the development of Gulu City master plan, expand, maintain and open new roads in 12 parishes annexed to the city from the neighbouring Omoro District.
Gulu City is seeking 200 billion shillings funding from the central
government to facilitate its operations.
The city became operational on July 1st alongside Arua, Mbale, Jinja, Fort
Portal, Mbarara and Masaka. However, with annexed territories, the city
authorities say they have several tasks to accomplish.
Edward Kiwanuka, the City Town Clerk disclosed that part of the
money will be used for the development of Gulu City master plan, expand,
maintain and open new roads in 12 parishes annexed to the city from the neighbouring Omoro
District.
Kiwanuka observed that currently, the city needs funds to purchase more land,
new garbage trucks, rehabilitate the existing bus parks and improve healthcare
services especially in lower health facilities that have been annexed.
//Cue in; “On the issue…
Cue out…years from now.”//
Margaret Orik Obonyo, a resident of Gulu City observes that the new city becoming
a cosmopolitan, the city leaders must prioritize infrastructure improvement to
accommodate the growing population.
//Cue in; “We are not…
Cue out…come to Gulu.”//
Lyandro Komakech, the Gulu Municipality MP notes that urban
planning is in process and it will take teamwork to achieve the growth and
stability of the newly created cities amid financial resource constraints.
//Cue in; “Urban planning…
Cue out…are for us.”//
The interim Gulu City Mayor George Labeja, says that while theoretically,
things have changed, the financial administration of the new city has not
changed much because they are still using the limited 2020/2021 Financial year budget
to fund their operations.
Early this month, Raphael Magyezi, the Minister for Local Government disclosed
that the seven new cities will receive 1.5 billion shillings funding in
addition to the funds previously provided for in the budgets under
municipalities to support their operations.
Ochola's journalism career begun from Radio King 90.2 FM in Gulu around 2009, and Radio Rupiny 95.7 Fm under Vision Group in 2012. He also reported for Mighty Fire 91.5 Fm, Kitgum in 2015 before joining Wizarts Foundation in 2017.
He has been reporting for Uganda Radio Network (URN) since 2017 before being posted as Bureau Chief Kitgum, and latr Gulu between 2018 - 2021. Currently, he reports from Parliament.
