In a cabinet meeting held on Monday 20th May, at the State House in Entebbe, Cabinet approved the creation of nine cities effective July 2020.
According to a statement signed by the Uganda Media Centre Executive Director Ofwono Opondo, the nine cities will become operational in different phases ie; July 2020, July 2021 and July 2022.
Arua City, Mbarara City, Gulu City, Jinja City and Fort Portal City will start their operational duties on July 1, 2020.
Effective July 1st, 2021, Mbale and Hoima will also be elevated from municipal status to get the city status while Lira and Entebbe will come on board in July 2022.
The Minister of Local Government Tom Butime told journalists that government will set aside a total of Shs 130 Billion in order to operationalise the nine cities.
Each of the approved cities is expected to have two divisions in the North and South and both will get an area Member of Parliament on top of an overall legislator for each of the cities.
Among other decisions that were reached upon by the cabinet included the celebrations of the annual 9th June Heroes Day anniversary.
Cabinet approved that this years celebrations will be held at Kasanje playground in Kasanje Town Council, Wakiso district under the theme; "Celebrating the courageous heroes who brought peace and prosperity we are enjoying."
