The appeal comes as Mityana Municipality prepares to rehabilitate the central taxi park, upgrade the Central Market and undertake road improvement works using funding secured through a World Bank Group-supported urban development programme.
Speaking during a stakeholders' meeting at the Mityana Municipal headquarters, the Youth Representative for Mityana Municipality in Parliament, Francis Zaake, urged municipal authorities to ensure that residents—especially traders and transport operators—are fully consulted before any development works begin.
"Development should improve people's lives, not disrupt their livelihoods. Those who will be affected deserve to be involved in every stage of planning and should be provided with suitable alternative places to continue their businesses," Zaake said.
He cautioned that many traders are already struggling economically, warning that forcing them out of their workplaces without proper arrangements could worsen their financial situation.
"We must remember that behind every market stall and taxi stage is a family that depends on that income. Development should be inclusive and considerate of the people it is intended to benefit," he added.
The discussions brought together district and municipal leaders to review implementation plans for the upcoming projects and to strengthen cooperation between political leaders and technical officers.
Joseph Luzige emphasized that successful implementation will require leaders from all political affiliations to work together in the interest of residents.
"Our responsibility is to serve the people who elected us. Politics should never stand in the way of development. We must unite to ensure these projects are implemented successfully," Luzige said.
He also stressed that before construction begins, authorities must identify alternative working spaces for traders operating in the Central Market and for taxi operators who will be displaced during rehabilitation works.
"No resident should lose their source of livelihood because of development. Proper relocation plans must be put in place before any construction starts," Luzige noted.
Mityana South Member of Parliament Henry Kamya Makumbi echoed similar sentiments, calling on leaders to set aside political differences in matters of development.
"Every resident of Mityana stands to benefit from these projects regardless of political affiliation. Better roads, improved markets and modern public infrastructure will strengthen the local economy and improve service delivery," Makumbi said.
Officials from the Ministry responsible for Housing and Urban Development confirmed that Mityana Municipality met the requirements needed to access the World Bank Group funding.
Steven Bogere said the current focus is on preparing local leaders and technical teams to manage the projects transparently while ensuring meaningful community participation.
"We are equipping leaders with the knowledge required to implement these projects responsibly. Community engagement remains critical because development succeeds when the people themselves are part of the process," Bogere explained.
The planned infrastructure improvements are expected to modernise Mityana Municipality through upgraded roads, improved public markets and better transport facilities, while leaders continue to emphasize that protecting residents' livelihoods should remain central to the implementation process.