This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
On July 1, 2020, Uganda marked a significant milestone with the inauguration of seven new cities, a move that has left many questioning the criteria for city status and the motivations behind the decision.
The new cities, created by politicians, have been met with a mix of excitement and skepticism. Each of the country's four regions now has two cities, with the central region already having Kampala and the addition of Masaka, the eastern region having Jinja City and Mbale City, the northern region having Arua City and Gulu City, and the western region having Mbarara City and Fort Portal City.
The awarding of city status comes after four decades of district multiplication, during which the number of districts in Uganda increased from 19 in 1979 to 135 in 2019. While the size of the country has not increased, the population has grown threefold.
Some have argued that the creation of new cities is a way to appease tribal feelings and ethnic communities, with the goal of creating districts that are more representative of their cultural identities. This has led to a situation where districts are being created based on tribal affiliations rather than geographical or economic considerations.
As Uganda enters this new era of city status, many are left wondering what this means for the country's development and growth. Will these new cities bring about the much-needed infrastructure and economic development, or will they become mere symbols of political power and tribal identity?
Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the creation of these new cities marks a significant shift in Uganda's development trajectory and will have far-reaching consequences for the country's future.
