Rukungiri Municipality has officially formed a Municipal Development Forum (MDF), bringing together representatives from various sectors to enhance service delivery, improve infrastructure, and promote inclusive urban development.
The committee will work closely with municipal authorities to bridge the gap between citizens and the council.
The Rukungiri municipal town clerk, Robert Niwamanya, said the municipality was privileged to establish its Municipal Development Forum (MDF), a platform that brings together diverse community representatives to collaborate with local leaders on development matters.
The forum members were selected from various groups, including boda boda riders, business people, media, banking institutions, women’s groups, and people living with HIV/AIDS. These stakeholders elected a seven-member executive committee that includes a president, vice president, treasurer, and other committee members.
Niwamanya noted that Rukungiri Municipality faces several urban challenges such as environmental degradation, garbage management, low local revenue generation, lack of urban greening, and poor infrastructure. He expressed hope that the new forum will help address these issues by generating practical ideas and working hand-in-hand with municipal authorities.
A senior sociologist and national coordinator from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Steven Bogere, said the formation of development forums across Uganda aims to promote good governance through inclusive platforms.
These forums, which are voluntary multi-stakeholder groups, encourage citizens to engage with their councils in planning and implementation of urban development projects.
Bogere emphasized that Urbanization is a process both political and technical leaders need to involve citizens in planning and decision-making to ensure sustainable development.
He revealed that Rukungiri Municipality has joined about 45 other urban areas in embracing this model of citizen engagement. Bogere also highlighted the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) project, which has been running for the last 10 years. Its successor, the Uganda Citizen Municipal Infrastructure Development (UCMID) project, will benefit municipalities like Rukungiri with investments in roads, markets, drainage systems, slaughter slabs, and more.
The elected president of the Municipal Development Forum and a former Chief Finance Officer of Rukungiri District Local Government Alfred Rwobusheru, welcomed the initiative. He said the forum will play a vital role in coordinating technical teams and councilors to improve infrastructure, accountability, and access to social services.
