The Kabaka of Buganda Ronald Mutebi II has criticized government for postponing the operationalisation of Masaka Municipality as a city until 2023.
Speaking shortly after the Sunday service at St Paul Cathedral at Kako, Kabaka Mutebi indicated the much-desired elevation to Masaka into a city is long overdue, given the fact that it is one of the traditional municipalities in the country.
“We are really wondering why our town, Masaka, which has all the requirements to become a city, was not considered among the first new cities,” he said.
The Kabaka promised to make consultations with technocrats and urban planners to provide him with a detailed report on why Masaka was not considered.
“When I get some time, I will consult with urban planners to explain to me why this happened. I really don’t understand it,’ he added.
Masaka was among the 15 municipalities approved as regional cities but it was not included in the first lot, which is scheduled to start operations in July 2020.
The cities in the first lot are Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Fort Portal and Mbarara.
The decision has since provoked anger from the residents in the sub-region and through Masaka District boss Jude Mbabaali, they have since dragged government to court for refusing to grant their town a city status.
