Florence Namayanja has called on Parliament and the Ministry of Local Government to increase funding for cities across Uganda, saying urban authorities cannot effectively deliver services without adequate financial support and a clear administrative framework.
Namayanja made the remarks shortly after being sworn in for her second term as mayor of Masaka. She first made history in 2021 as the city’s first female mayor and will now serve until 2031 following her re-election.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Namayanja urged the government to enact legislation that would grant cities a distinct identity separate from ordinary local governments.
According to her, the current structure limits the ability of cities to function efficiently and achieve their development potential.
She argued that cities are expected to operate as regional development hubs, yet they continue to receive limited financing that does not match their growing responsibilities.
“Operating cities as ordinary local governments is restrictive and does not support the capacity required for urban development,” Namayanja said, adding that increased funding would help improve service delivery and infrastructure development.
The mayor appealed to lawmakers to prioritise financing for all cities in Uganda, noting that urban centres continue to face increasing pressure from rapid population growth and expanding service demands.
Namayanja also revealed that despite the city not receiving all the revenue projected in its budget, local revenue collection has significantly improved in recent years.
She attributed the progress to reforms introduced by the city administration, including the establishment of a Revenue Collection Unit and the use of the Integrated Revenue Administration System.
She explained that the digital revenue collection system was introduced to minimise corruption and prevent loss of public funds through cash transactions handled by individual city workers.
Meanwhile, the inauguration ceremony also featured the election of the city speaker and deputy speaker.
Three candidates contested for the speaker position, including Achilles Mawanda of the National Unity Platform, independent candidate Phibby Kyewalyanga, and Haj Jamiru Miwanda of the National Resistance Movement.
The first round of voting ended in a deadlock after Miwanda reportedly failed to vote for himself, leaving Mawanda and Kyewalyanga tied at eight votes each out of the 16 councillors.
Presiding over the exercise, Abert Asiimwe directed that another round of voting be conducted until one candidate secured the required 60 percent majority.
In the second round, Mawanda emerged victorious after obtaining 10 votes against Kyewalyanga’s six, and was subsequently declared the new speaker of Masaka City Council.
At the same sitting, female youth councillor Jesca Sserwadda was unanimously elected deputy speaker.
Namayanja later unveiled her executive team, nominating Florence Nabunya as deputy mayor, Haj Jamiru Miwanda as secretary for finance, Rosette Nansubuga as secretary for social services, and Emmanule Kafeero as secretary for works. The council unanimously approved the appointments.
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