Mayor Balimwezo Rejects Kampala Capital Shift to Nakasongola

KAMPALA, Uganda — Mayor Ronald Balimwezo has rejected a government proposal to gradually relocate Uganda’s capital from Kampala to Nakasongola, saying the city’s congestion and infrastructure problems should be addressed through increased investment rather than moving government institutions elsewhere.

His remarks came after State Minister for Urban Development Margaret Muhanga told Parliament’s Lands and Housing Committee on Wednesday that President Yoweri Museveni supports a phased relocation of government ministries, departments and agencies to Nakasongola.

Muhanga said the process could run until 2040, with selected government institutions moving first as authorities seek to ease pressure on Kampala.

“The president was so much for this capital shift,” Muhanga told MPs. “But you don’t start it in one day. It can go up to 2040.”

She said Kampala had become increasingly difficult to live and work in because of congestion and poor urban planning, estimating that traffic jams cost the economy about $1.6 billion annually.

“Who is happy living in this city? I am not. We lose $1.6 billion annually due to this traffic jam. People have to wake up at 4 am to make it to work at 8 am. That is insane,” Muhanga said.

“Kampala is unlivable, it is unchangeable, it is untenable, and we must move out of it.”

Muhanga said Nakasongola was preferred over established regional cities such as Mbarara, Fort Portal and Gulu because it provides an opportunity to develop a planned administrative capital from scratch.

“Nakasongola is more centrally located, underpopulated and we have a lot of land there,” she said.

Balimwezo, however, said shifting the capital was too significant a decision to be undertaken without broad public consultation.

“We respect the Minister and the Government. However, changing the capital is not a decision that should simply be announced,” Balimwezo said in a statement.

He argued that Kampala had evolved since Uganda’s independence in 1962 into the country’s principal political, commercial, education, health and transport centre and remained central to the national economy.

Balimwezo said the underlying problem was inadequate financing for Kampala’s infrastructure.

He said Kampala Capital City Authority requires about Shs2.4 trillion per financial year, but receives only about 40% of that requirement, leaving a 60% funding gap.

“KCCA budget is Shs2.4 trillion per financial year, but the government only manages to avail 40%, which is too small to manage all the projects we intend to do,” Balimwezo said.

He said the city could reduce congestion through investments in Bus Rapid Transit, commuter trains and a metro system, but lacked sufficient resources to implement the projects.

Balimwezo also backed stronger investment in cities such as Mbarara, Gulu, Jinja, Mbale and Fort Portal, arguing that decentralisation did not require Kampala to lose its status.

“The solution is not to abandon Kampala. The solution is to develop Kampala while strengthening and properly funding other cities across Uganda,” he said.

Muhanga has said relocating the administrative capital would not mean the end of Kampala as Uganda’s commercial centre and sought to reassure property owners concerned that the departure of government agencies could reduce demand for office space.

“Right now everyone is scared of what will happen to Kampala, that their buildings will not be rented. But Kampala will be here, nobody will lose anything,” she said.

Parliament’s Lands and Housing Committee chairperson Edson Rugumayo backed the proposal and asked the government to provide details on how it intends to implement the long-discussed relocation.

Balimwezo said any final decision should involve Ugandans beyond government institutions.

“Kampala belongs to all Ugandans, and its future should therefore be decided through inclusive dialogue, consultation, and a shared national vision,” he said.