Apolot Christine, the Kumi Woman Member of Parliament and head of the Public Service and Local Government Committee mentioned that although the government is actively engaged in facilitating the relocations of all districts, Mbale's situation differs due to the insufficient land for the new administration unit.
Speaking on behalf of the Mbale City Property Owners Association, Wamulugwa, emphasized the importance of adhering to the 4% rate approved by the council, dismissing the divisions' claim that they hold ultimate authority over the matter.
Shortly after his election, Wambende promised to deliver to the expectations of the vendors, noting that the issue of electricity, water, and garbage in the market will be his top priority.
Uthman Mugoya, the Vice President of Mbale Heroes FC wonders why the City council authorities decided to rent out a stadium whose grass is just growing. “We are warning the Organizers to stay away from the stadium, We shall not sit back and watch when the stadium is being damaged,” he said.
Speaking at thanksgiving for the newly appointed Mbale City Land Board Chairperson, Paul Wanyoto over the weekend, Nambuya noted that wealthy individuals are taking advantage of the vulnerable and poor persons to steal their land.
Zaidi Wandulu, the Mbale Industrial City Division Works and Physical Planning Secretary, says that the riders were neither consulted nor sensitized on the proposal, which affects their operations directly.
Tom Wagama, a Boda boda rider in Mbale city, says that the bad state of the road has resulted in several accidents. He said a few days ago, a Boda boda rider fell into the deep hole and they struggled to pull him out and his motorcycle.
According to the councillors, the Deputy Town Clerk, Waniaye and Mabala have been at the forefront of mismanaging local revenue collection. They also accuse the duo of conniving some people to rob the city of finances meant for service delivery.
The companies include Nalu Tours and Travels Limited and Central Investments Agency Limited that have over two months been fighting for a contract of collecting the revenues on behalf of Mbale City.
The Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development contracted Dot Services in October 2020 to construct Naboa, Cathedral Avenue, Nkonkonjeru Terrace, North, Manafwa and Central Roads under the second phase of the Uganda Support to Municipality Infrastructure Development-USMID project.
Mbale Industrial City Division Mayor, Masaba Muhamood accuses Mayor Namugali and the town Clerk, Kyansamku of wrongly procuring Nalu, saying that he cannot allow people from other regions to collect money within MbaIe City.
"This is to inform you that your bid has been detailed below has been accepted. A written contract is being drafted and shall be forwarded for your signature as soon as it is ready,” a letter dated 04th/November 2021 from the City Clerk to Nalu Tours and Travels Limited reads in part. Nalu Tour and Travel Limited were supposed to sign the contract with the city authorities in the same month and commence work on November 15th, 2021.
Johnson Gimuyi, the Acting Mbale City Engineer and project manager, says that the contractor has asked for five more months to complete the project after failing to beat the 20th February 2022 deadline.
Madoi has dismissed all the allegations levelled against him by the vendors, saying that he will not vacate office until elections are held. He says that the market master is the one accountable for the money collected from the vendors and not his executive.
In a letter dated January 1 2021 addressed to all district heads of department, town clerks and Senior Assistant secretaries, the Chief Administrative Officer of Mbale District Lucy Frances Amulen said that there is a tendency for officers attending to official and private matters without formal communication to the management.
Mbale City Clerk, David Kyansanku, said that the biggest problem of cities in the country is property rates valuation. He says that in 2020, the government together with USAID resolved to have all the properties in the annexed sub-counties valued to improve the revenue of the cities.
Martin Wabusa, the Vice President of Mbale City Development Forum, says that the coffee beans were not part of the initial plan, arguing that coffee was supposed to be planted around the clock tower garden.
Kyansanku’s notice to evict the street vendors has met stiff resistance from the local leaders led by the Industrial City Division Mayor, Muhamood Masaaba Mutenyo. He asked vendors not to vacate the streets, saying the town clerk didn’t consult him before issuing the directive.
Two maize milling machines were installed in the areas of Bufumbo and Nakaloke to contribute to poverty eradication and economic growth through improved commercialization of agriculture, increasing farmers’ access to markets, attracting competitive prices and improved incomes.
During the handover of the roads for rehabilitation, Eng. Moses Were Happy, a Consultant Engineer from UB Consultants, which supervises Dott Services, said the rehabilitation will take them between one to two months.