Leaders in Mbarara City South say poor roads, clogged drainage and delayed projects have failed to reflect the division’s contribution to local revenue, prompting debate over budget allocations and implementation.
Leaders in Mbarara City South Division are questioning the pace of infrastructure development in the area, arguing that its contribution to more than 70% of the city’s locally raised revenue has not translated into commensurate improvements in roads, drainage and other public services.
Mbarara City South hosts major commercial centres, markets, industrial areas and transport terminals that generate a substantial share of the city’s revenue.
However, local leaders say several roads remain unpaved, drainage systems clog during heavy rains, and infrastructure projects have not kept pace with the division’s growth.
The concerns have sparked debate among city leaders over whether the disparity reflects budget priorities, administrative bottlenecks or delays in implementing projects.
Since Mbarara attained city status, its population, infrastructure and role as a regional commercial hub have continued to expand. The city has two divisions: Mbarara City South, represented in Parliament by Mwine Mpaka, and Mbarara City North, represented by Christopher Bakashaba.
Jomo Mugabi, Mayor of Mbarara City South Division, said the area deserved greater development attention because of the revenue it generates.
“As the primary economic engine generating over 73% of Mbarara City's local revenue, South Division deserves a proportional return in development. I wonder why the South has little projects yet we collect the highest revenue,” Mugabi said.
“Our residents and business community continue to struggle with unpaved roads and choked drainage systems while generating the very funds that run the entire city. When I asked the centre, they said the budgetary priorities run per financial year for specific division,” he added.
Mbarara City Speaker Bonny Tashobya acknowledged the operational challenges facing the South, attributing some of the delays to administrative bottlenecks and changing priorities.
“The South Division has unfortunately faced administrative bottlenecks and shifting priorities, leaving vital civil works struggling to keep pace, unlike the North, which also benefits from its distinct geographical location,” Tashobya said.
City leaders Ronald Bamuhaira and Gumisiriza Kyabwisho said the two divisions receive comparable budget allocations after central remittances, but argued that project implementation helps explain the differences in visible development.
Bamuhaira, the deputy mayor of Mbarara City, said the city needed to ensure that allocated funds translated into completed projects and improved services.
“While both divisions receive comparable allocations after remittances, we must ensure equitable execution. It is true that the South raises the biggest revenue but remains slow in progress and development,” he said.
“We need to address these implementation delays in the South so that our highest revenue-generating division receives the infrastructure upgrades its growth demands. We allocate equal distribution of resources and projects, so the question is on implementation by respective divisions,” Bamuhaira added.
Kyabwisho said Mbarara City North had made progress through coordinated political advocacy, lobbying and closer supervision of contractors.
“Our progress in Mbarara City North is driven by unified political advocacy, proactive lobbying, and strict oversight. By ensuring every project is completed on time and within budget, we maximise every shilling allocated to our division,” Kyabwisho said.
The debate raises questions about how Mbarara City plans and distributes public investment, particularly whether infrastructure spending adequately responds to the demands placed on areas with high commercial activity and revenue collection.
However, the revenue figures and claims about comparable allocations would need to be assessed against official city revenue records, approved divisional budgets and actual expenditure to establish whether the South receives a proportionate share of public investment.