The Mpigi District Council has passed a resolution to elevate Mpigi–Kamengo and Greater Buwama from town councils to municipalities in a move aimed at improving service delivery and accelerating development.
The resolution was passed during the district’s final council sitting of the current five-year term, where leaders reviewed achievements, challenges, and key service delivery concerns, while also setting priorities for the incoming 2026–2031 council.
During the sitting, councillors observed that Mpigi District’s large geographical size and rapidly growing population have made it increasingly difficult to effectively deliver services under the current administrative structure.
It was from this background that outgoing District Chairperson Martin Ssejjemba tabled a motion seeking council approval to elevate Mpigi–Kamengo Town Council and Greater Buwama to municipality status.
Ssejjemba argued that Mpigi has now reached a level where some of its urban centres qualify for municipality status.
“When you look at areas like Mpigi Town Council, the rate of growth is high. The population requirement and other key conditions are already met,” Ssejjemba said.
He added that Greater Buwama is also experiencing steady growth, largely driven by tourism activities around attractions such as Bunjako Beach, although poor road infrastructure continues to hinder progress.
“Buwama is almost catching up with Mpigi in terms of attracting people. But the roads are in poor condition because it is still at sub-county level. Government cannot allocate the same level of funding to a sub-county as it does to a municipality,” he explained.
Ssejjemba said elevating the two areas would enable them to access increased government funding, attract investment, and improve infrastructure and public services.
“Government funding for municipalities is significantly higher than that of town councils and sub-counties. If we work together on this, Mpigi will attract more investment and development,” he added.
The proposal received overwhelming support from councillors.
Musa Bukenya, the councillor representing Mpigi Town Council, said the elevation would transform the area and improve its status.
“A municipality comes with development, including improving the status of the area. I fully support the motion,” Bukenya said.
Another councillor, Busulwa, noted that Mpigi had delayed attaining municipality status compared to other districts that emerged from it.
“The truth is Mpigi has taken long. Many areas it gave birth to are already municipalities. If we meet the requirements, the motion should pass,” he said.
District Speaker Ronald Kaggwa later formally passed the resolution.
“Based on the motion presented by the Chairperson, the reasons given, and the support from councillors, I hereby pass the resolution to elevate Mpigi–Kamengo and Greater Buwama from town councils to municipalities,” Kaggwa ruled.
Mpigi is one of Uganda’s oldest districts and has over the years given rise to several other districts, including Wakiso, Butambala, and Gomba.