Authorities in Mbarara City are striving to establish it as the country’s leading urban center by 2025. Since gaining city status in July 2020, the government and private sector have made significant strides in infrastructure, education, and economic development, attracting investments and a growing student population.
However, this rapid growth has highlighted gaps in urban planning and unmet expectations. To meet the demands of its expanding population and secure its status as a key regional hub, local authorities must address these challenges.
Once a bustling municipality, Mbarara City has evolved into one of Uganda's fastest-growing cities, attracting investments and a rising student population. Its strategic location, connected by major roads, has fostered trade and innovation.
Lawyer Honorato Muhangunzi, lawyer with Rukabura Ruhome Advocates and political analyst emphasized this, stating, “Mbarara City is the fastest-growing city in the region, with major roads connecting to Kabale, Kampala, Ibanda, and Bushenyi, making it a hub for many businesspeople.”
Last year, local revenue collection in the city grew by 22%, reaching 7.9 billion shillings. However, the city is short of its target of 10.147 billion for 2024/2025, having only collected 1.54 billion so far.
Amina Naluyima, Senior Communication Officer, elaborated on the city’s efforts to improve revenue collection, saying, “We are embarking on a robust sensitisation campaign using SMS, radio announcements, and community barazas for public accountability and to promote voluntary compliance.”
Despite progress, analysts warn that infrastructure has not kept pace with the expanding population. Roads originally designed for a smaller municipality are now overwhelmed.
“Mbarara has not yet received what was promised,” Honorato Muhangunzi remarked, noting that the city still operates more like a municipality than a city, with only a few roads planned before its elevation.
Political battles and disunity among leaders have also hindered development, a concern frequently highlighted by Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi. For development to prevail, he emphasised a move beyond political differences stating that, "There is confusion among ourselves as NRM members, and this is the opposition we need to address."
Resident City Commissioner Hellen Catherine Kamwine acknowledges the challenges but remains hopeful. Reflecting on the city's progress, she said, “We are working tirelessly to make Mbarara the number one city in the country. Both private and government sectors are contributing to infrastructure development, and the people of Mbarara are committed to elevating the city’s status.”
With 71 billion shillings in grants from the central government and 9 billion from local revenue for the 2023/2024 financial year, Mbarara City Council is optimistic about future funding, focusing on roads, health, and education as key priority areas. “Our key priority areas are roads, health, and education,” reiterated Naluyima.
However, critics argue that local revenue is not being swiftly allocated to essential infrastructure projects. “Local revenue needs to be allocated faster to infrastructure projects if we want to meet the city’s growing needs,” Honorato Muhangunzi pointed out.
While Mbarara City’s future looks promising, many residents feel that initial expectations remain unmet. The key challenge lies in overcoming planning issues to fulfill its potential as Uganda's fastest-growing city.