The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kabale, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A section of locals and stakeholders in Kigezi region are demanding that Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, State minister of Finance for general duties withdraws and apologises for his statement about the creation of Kabale City.
On February 12, 2022, while at his thanksgiving ceremony at Rushoroza cathedral, in Southern Division, Kabale municipality, Musasizi who is also the Rubanda East constituency legislator was reported as telling those waiting for Kabale to become a city in 2025 to forget it.
In 2019, Kabale Municipality was listed among municipalities that will be elevated to city status in 2023. But Musasizi nearly broke the Banyakigezi’s hearts by saying that finance ministry officials met President Yoweri Museveni and agreed to halt the creation of more cities and other administrative units.
According to Musasizi, during the discussion with Museveni, they realized that the creation of more cities and other administrative units only benefits individuals politically.
Musasizi’s statement was later discredited by Raphael Magyezi, Minister for Local government who argued that the government has not yet taken a stand to change the resolution of Parliament that approved the creation of the cities. Magyezi emphasized that as far as his ministry is concerned cities including that of Kabale will soon start operations.
Musasizi’s statement is annoying a section of people from the districts of Kabale, Rubanda, and Rukiga which form greater Kabale. They accuse him of being jealous over the creation of Kabale city.
Barnabas Tugumisizire, the executive director of Rukiga Forum for Development, and Samuel Namanya, a resident in Rwamucucu sub county, insist that Musasizi should go and withdraw his statement because it has made the majority of the people in Kigezi very angry. They accuse him of being against the transformation of the region.
They wonder why Musasizi is not minding about the advantages of the city but is only worried about its negative effects. They say that Musasizi’s statement demoralizes the efforts of elders in Kigezi like former Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda who advocated that Kabale municipality also be transformed into a city.
Sam Tindimweebwa Kanyamukiza, former Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Vice Chairman for Kigezi region, Emmanuel Twinamatsiko from Kyanamira sub county, Moses Henry Tahoreraho from Kitumba sub county in Kabale district, and Chris Turyomurugyendo, a member of National Resistance Movement (NRM) party national youth league for Kabale want Musasizi to come up and explain how Kabale residents can forget about something already endorsed by the parliament.
They also want him to explain why he is the only leader in Kigezi with such shocking news about Kabale city. They warn that the ruling party may face it rough while wooing support in the 2026 general elections in case this matter is handled early.
Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema, former Rubanda District LC5 Chairman, and Andre Aja Baryayanga, former Kabale Municipality member of parliament say that Musasizi could be talking negatively about Kabale city due to fear that it is set to affect Rubanda East Constituency which he represents since two sub counties of Bubaare and Nyamweru will be annexed to the city during demarcation.
But, Musasizi insists without any apology that Kabale city will not kick-off.
According to Musasizi, unless the presidential pledge of tarmacking tourism roads in Kigezi region is honored and Kamukira health center IV in Kabale Municipality is elevated to the level of the hospital is done, Kabale city will not take off.
Musasizi adds that cities with poor infrastructural standards are useless.
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Across Kigezi sub region, district ,sub county and locals councils with NRM committees across Kigezi including Mporroro ppresent day (Ntungamo District) are realising a broad range of benefits through community actions. These include direct benefits for the city council of kabale being a regional centre of Kigezi and a cross boarder centre of DRC,Burundi and Rwanda, the benefits are very many to the community wellbeing, economic benefits and cross-cutting benefits. Some of these are outlined below.With such wide-ranging potential benefits for councils and residents, community action can change people’s lives. However, it’s worth noting that the benefits can take time to be realised and it may be difficult to attribute them directly to the council’s role.
Benefits for the council:
less reliance on frontline services
decreased demand for social care and/or low-level support.
Wellbeing benefits:
people can become role models within their community
people feel empowered through learning new skills
reduced social isolation or loneliness
improved quality of life and better response to crisis events.
Economic benefits:
higher levels of employment
benefits to local businesses, such as stronger local economy
reduction in reliance on welfare support
training and skills opportunities
Cross-cutting and wider community benefits
an increase in volunteering and the development of skills among volunteers
better understanding of the social assets within the local community
reduced duplication of services
closer or new partnerships across agencies
shared learning and joint funding
making use of under-utilised community facilities or
Across Kigezi sub region, community ,sub county councils and District councils are realising a broad range of benefits through community action. These include direct benefits for the council, community wellbeing, economic benefits and cross-cutting benefits. Some of these are outlined below.
With such wide-ranging potential benefits for kabale city council and residents of kigez including mpororo present day Ntungamo, community action can change people’s lives. However, it’s worth noting that musasis is welloff after sill government resources cannot bather about the cirty council and its menefits,the benefits can take time to be realised and it may be difficult to attribute them directly to the council’s role.
Benefits for the council:
less reliance on frontline services
decreased demand for social care and/or low-level support.
Wellbeing benefits:
people can become role models within their community
people feel empowered through learning new skills
reduced social isolation or loneliness
improved quality of life and better response to crisis events.
Economic benefits:
higher levels of employment
benefits to local businesses, such as stronger local economy
reduction in reliance on welfare support
training and skills opportunities
Cross-cutting and wider community benefits
an increase in volunteering and the development of skills among volunteers
better understanding of the social assets within the local community
reduced duplication of services
closer or new partnerships across agencies
shared learning and joint funding
making use of under-utilised community facilities or