Government has been advised to design a better working environment that will help balance the political and technical wings of administrations within cities and towns.
This was during a public dialogue organized by Victoria University at their main Campus in Kampala under the theme; “Promoting good urban governance in Uganda; Challenges and Opportunities.
Fr. Pascal Kabura from the Human Rights and Peace Centre (HURIPEC) stressed that development and progress in most urban centers in the country have been hampered due to endless fights between the political and technical wings.
“Take an example of Kampala Capital City, the fighting between Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and the Executive Director, Jennifer Musisi has cost us good service delivery for over four years,” Fr. Kabura noted.
“It is time we separate politics from City planning; development of towns and cities has been frustrated by politicians who claim to know it all,” Fr. Kabura said.
Fr. Kabura also suggested constant dialogue between the politicians and technocrats.
“We should all work towards building an inclusive city, free from occasional conflicts and politically vibrant with high levels of civic competence.”
On the same note, Dr. Amin Kiggundu of Centre for Urban Studies and Research (CFUSR) expressed dismay that on several occasions where Mrs Musisi and Lukwago have been invited for talks, they have not turned up.
“Engaging in dialogue is the only solution to fights between politicians and administrators in KCCA, but we have tried to invite them on different forums but have failed to turn up,” Kiggundu said.