Kivejinja advises Mbale politicians to wait on city status

The 2nd Deputy Prime Minister and minister for East African Community Affairs Ali Kirunda Kivejinja has urged those agitating to have their towns elevated to city status to wait.

Kivejinja’s statement was prompted by Mbale Municipality Mayor Mafabi Mutwalibi Zandya’s request to have Mbale city operationalized in 2020 not later in 2021.

This was during the official launch of the 11th Eastern Regional Trade Fair in Mbale stadium.

Zandya further appealed to the minister to fastrack the degazatement of Mbale municipal forest to pave way for expansion of the city.

In his response, the Kivejinja urged those who are agitating for city status to be patient adding that such pressure could lead to haphazard outcome. He gave the example of the National Resistance Army (NRA) struggle which he said wouldn't have yielded results if those involved were impatient. 

"If your wife conceives, and you demand to have a baby before the 9 months, you end up with a foetus,” Kivejinja added, sending several in the audience into laughter. 

Kivejinja also urged Ugandans to stop slumbering and seek opportunities to make wealth. He argued that many Ugandans are poor because they have failed to unlock the wealth in their vicinity.

There has been discontent especially among politicians who had expected Mbale to come among the first lot of towns granted city status. The cabinet decision to defer Mbale to 2021 was received with protest and consternation.