Mbale proposes ordinances to regain glory as East Africa’s commercial, cultural hub
Mbale City Council headquarters. Photo/Yahudu Kitunzi
What you need to know:
- Ms Jolly Hasoho, the Deputy City Clerk, revealed that a solid waste management ordinance is awaiting ministerial approval.
Mbale City authorities have proposed new ordinances aimed at restoring the city’s lost glory as a commercial and cultural hub of East and Central Africa.
Among the proposed regulations are the Trade Order Ordinance, intended to streamline business operations and boost local revenue, and the Solid Waste Management Ordinance to improve sanitation and cleanliness.
These ordinances form part of an ambitious eight-point plan targeting improvements in infrastructure, urban planning, economic growth, education, security, tourism, revenue generation, and street vending regulation.
Once known for its vibrant economy, clean streets, and organized infrastructure, Mbale has recently faced challenges including poor sanitation, traffic congestion, deteriorating infrastructure, and declining local revenue collection.
Mr Geoffrey Mugisa, the Town Clerk of Mbale Industrial City Division, said their priorities include improving roads, waste management, and creating a favorable business environment.
“We are committed to improving roads, streamlining waste management, and creating a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Mbale was once one of the cleanest and most organised towns in East and Central Africa, and we are working tirelessly to bring back that legacy,” Mr Mugisa said.
Mbale was recognized as Uganda’s cleanest town in the 1960s and 1970s, thanks to strong municipal leadership, active community participation, and a structured urban plan.
However, population growth, poor urban management, and underfunding have led to a decline in infrastructure and services.
Mr Mugisa emphasized the need to organize the business sector, enforce regulations, and improve property and business tax assessment to eliminate corruption.
“We want to increase the city's revenue generation and improve the infrastructure and layout because Mbale is busier than other cities, which makes it easier to raise local revenue,” he said.
A key shift will see traders banned from paying city authorities in cash. They are now encouraged to use digital payment methods for revenue collection.
City authorities also plan to strengthen enforcement of tax laws to address non-compliance, particularly in hotel and property tax payments.
Mr David Kasimbazi, a senior officer at the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, urged the city to enforce waste management bylaws and adopt new solid waste handling approaches.
"Garbage is very dangerous to our environment. It causes air and water pollution, floods, diseases, and contributes to climate change," Mr Kasimbazi said.
He noted that waste can be a valuable resource if properly managed, generating manure, fertilizers, biogas, and jobs.
Ms Jolly Hasoho, the Deputy City Clerk, revealed that a solid waste management ordinance is awaiting ministerial approval.
Ms Harriet Kakai, the Deputy Mayor, said the city will allocate more funds to manage the landfill in the next financial year.
Last week, Mbale City Council unveiled a new road grader worth Shs1.2 billion, purchased using local revenue, hailed as a major boost to road infrastructure.
Mr Cassim Namugali, the Mayor, noted that for years, the city struggled with road maintenance due to reliance on borrowed equipment.
“This reliance on external resources had severely hampered the city’s ability to address its growing infrastructural needs,” he said.
The mayor also revealed plans for a comprehensive road maintenance program to prioritize neglected roads.
The Minister of Local Government, Mr Raphael Magyezi, urged the leadership to protect government land for future development projects.
“This land is not for personal gain; it belongs to the people and must be safeguarded for future development,” he said.
Magyezi also decried the city’s deteriorating cleanliness, urging authorities to restore Mbale’s reputation as a clean and well-organized city.
“Mbale was once a shining example of cleanliness and order. It is disheartening to see the current state of the city. I urge you to take this matter seriously and ensure that Mbale regains its status as a clean and well-organized city,” the Minister said.
The city has recently begun evicting street vendors, an initiative welcomed by residents hopeful that Mbale will reclaim its status as a key economic and tourism destination.
"We cannot watch Mbale lose its past glory. This plan is designed to address the key challenges affecting the city," said Mr Musa Kasajja, Speaker of Mbale Industrial City Division.
Veteran residents like Mr Akimu Watenyere, a UPC stalwart, lamented the city’s decline from its glory days as a model town.
“Mbale town was the cleanest in East and Central Africa because it was well planned. In the middle of the town, we had only shops, Industries and Hardware’s were on the suburbs of the town,” Mr Watenyere said.
According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Mbale City has a daytime population of 81,685 and a nighttime population of 289,941.
