The State Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development Isaac Musumba, has questioned Mbale's quest for a city status, saying the once cleanest town in East and Central Africa is unfit for a city. According to Musumba, he is disappointed with the level of disorganization in Mbale town.
The minister explains that being a city, means access to everything one needs at any time easily. The minister, who was speaking at a regional consultative workshop on the development of the National Physical Development Plan at Mbale Resort hotel, said he moved around the town this morning and couldn't locate any street.
"Most plots and streets in Mbale are not marked," said Musumba. He called on the leaders in Mbale municipality to avoid the emergency of slums, which appear to be growing in the town. There are many unplanned developments by powerful individuals in Mbale town, which have compromised the plan of the town.
However, Musumba's comments didn't go down well with Manafa District LC V Chairman, John Musila. Despite agreeing with the minister that all is not well in Mbale, Musila said it was unfair for him to single out Mbale since many other towns in the country are not any better.
On the issue of slums, Musila asked Musumba to start with Kampala, which he said has been turned into a huge slum by powerful individuals like the minister.
The Mbale LC V Chairman, Bernard Ely Mujasi also noted that the challenges of emerging urban centers are universal and not unique to Mbale.
In his response, Musumba said he used the example of Mbale since the conference is in the town. He called on the local leaders to stop being apologists by referring to Kampala, saying it is a special case.
Mbale municipality has been pushing for elevation to a city status for more than decade. The other municipality pushing for a city status include Arua and Mbarara.
