The government will, in the next financial year of 2025/2026, kick off the operation of five additional cities.
This was announced by the Minister of Finance, Matia Kasaija, during the national budget conference for the 2025/26 financial year held at Speke Resort Munyonyo on September 11, 2024.
Minister Kasaija said the municipalities to attain city status include Moroto, Kabale, Entebbe, Nakasongola, and Wakiso.
The cities to be operationalized were part of the 15 municipalities that had previously been approved by both Cabinet and Parliament.
In FY 2020/21, ten cities, including Soroti, Lira, Gulu, Arua, Hoima, Fort Portal, Mbarara, Masaka, Jinja, and Mbale were operationalized.
“I have the honor now to announce that we have secured resources to operationalize the remaining cities, effective 1st July 2025,” Kasaija remarked.
He guided the affected municipalities to include the changes as they start the budget process for FY 2025/26.
“I, therefore, wish to implore upon the affected municipalities and now, cities, to beware that as you start the budgeting process for FY 2025/2026, there are lower local governments that will be annexed to the cities,” he said.
Minister Kasaija also asked the municipalities to prioritize and allocate funds for preparatory activities such as physical planning, surveying, and mapping of the gazetted areas of jurisdiction.
In the 2025/2026 financial year, the government will focus on four key growth areas, including agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral-based industrialization, and science and technology. This will be achieved through various strategies, including the creation of new cities.
