Jinja City Bid

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JINJA CITY STATUS BID
A Case For Why Jinja Should Or Should Not Be Awarded City Status
By
JINJA CITY TRANSFORMATION PROJECT (JINJA CTP)

Twitter @jinjacity
Whatsapp: 0704548686
www.jinjacity.com
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JINJA CITY TRANSFORMATION PROJECT
Twitter @jinjacity
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Contents
PICTORGRAPH OF JINJA CITY.................................................................................... 3
The Question: Does Jinja Municipality meet the set requirements for city status?. .5
HOW JINJA FAIRS ON ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY STATUS...................................5
Population............................................................................................................ 5
Master plan for Land Use..................................................................................... 5
Office Space......................................................................................................... 5
Water Source........................................................................................................ 5
Ability to meet social services..............................................................................6
A city should also be able to raise 50 per cent of the revenue it needs for its
projects................................................................................................................ 6
WHAT DOES JINJA MUNICIPALITY GAIN IN CITY STATUS? JUST A CHANGE IN NAME? 7
PROSPECTS FOR JINJA CITY STATUS OBJECTIVE.......................................................7
MAJOR HURDLES..................................................................................................... 9
Conclusion............................................................................................................. 10
Summary............................................................................................................... 10
References............................................................................................................ 10
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PICTORGRAPH OF JINJA CITY
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The Question: Does Jinja Municipality meet the set requirements for
city status?
According to Local Governments Act CAP 243 Section 32, sub sec. 1(a) iii, and (b) i to iv for an area to
qualify for a city status,
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
It should have a population of 350,000 people (reduced from 500,000)

It should also have a master plan for land use.
The area must have office space.
It should also have water sources
Have capacity to meet its cost of delivery of services.
A city should also be able to raise 50 per cent of the revenue it needs for its projects. (not in act)
HOW JINJA FAIRS ON ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY STATUS

Population
According to Jinja City Master plan, Jinja Municipality (whose human population is 150,000 although
UBOS puts it at 72, 931) will take up Budondo (51, 560), Mafubira (78, 895), Kakira, Busedde (36, 152)
and Bugembe Town Council (41, 323), therefore total population is between 280,000 to 357,000: Source
= UBOS (census 2014) However day time population increases to between 500,000 to 800,000 people
Score: 3
Master plan for Land Use

This is where Jinja scores the highest, since it has the best Land Use master plan in Uganda. The plan
dates back to colonial times where the town was carefully subdivided into commercial, industrial,
residential and protected areas. The Master Plan was updated during the Mayor Kezaala regime in
anticipation for City Status between 2005 and 2008
Score: 5
Office Space
Jinja already has office space to accommodate the city council. The town hall, with some adjustment and
refurbishing can easily be transformed into Jinja City Hall to house Jinja City Council. However, theres
need for the district headquarters to be transferred out of the municipality to Buwenge since a city and
district are the same in law and cannot be in the same place. This is yet to be done because the council is
yet to agree on the location.
Other commercial office spaces in Jinja are generally still very low compared to Kampala, Wakiso and
Mbarara. Construction of commercial office space is just picking up in recent times as a result of a
marked increase in demand with new facilities like the NSSF building, Igar Plaza, Ganshi towers etc.
coming up. However,
Score: 3
Water Source
Located on the shores of Africas Largest Lake, Lake Victoria and the worlds longest river, River Nile,
with several other numerous streams, swamps etc., Jinja has a very stable water source. According to the
UBOS abstract 2015, Jinja water supply target population stands at 90%, the highest in Uganda. Jinja also
has the second largest piped water coverage in Uganda, after Kampala.
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Score: 4
Ability to meet social services

Social Services include among others, Health, Education, Water, Roads, Garbage Collection, street
lighting etc. The city is supposed to make sure it meets the cost of providing these services. In the current
setting of Ugandas Budget Framework, all wages of civil servants in a district are paid from central
government. Jinja Municipalitys budget has been fluctuating between Shs 30 and Shs 45 billion in the
few years. Whereas the largest cost (approximately 60% comprising of wage bills) of these services is
catered for by government conditional and non-conditional grants, the city should be able to meet
developmental costs and other non-wage activities (the other 40%) at least, of its total annual budget.
Jinjas current local revenue collection, which stands between 2 to 4 billion shillings means that it can
only meet between 15 - 25 % of the total cost of non-wage activities and other developmental programs
(approximately 40% of the budget or between 12 and 18billion)
In terms of services already on ground,
Jinja has the second highest number of health facilities in Uganda at over 100 (UBOS abstract
2015)
Jinja has six Universities, almost 20 institutes of higher education, over 100 secondary schools
and over 150 primary schools
Jinja urban areas have close to 90% piped water coverage, although in rural areas it drops below
50%
Street lighting and garbage collection are still performing badly and need serious improvements.
Most major roads with the exception of Nalufenya Road are normally dark at night with the
Municipality claiming it owes Umeme millions of shillings and it has been switched off. There is
a lot of garbage littered around the town and in residential neighborhoods. The garbage disposal
policy needs an overhaul
Score: 2
A city should also be able to raise 50 per cent of the revenue it needs for its
projects.
Currently Jinja can only manage to raise less than 10% of its budgetary needs according to government
budget website, budget.go.ug. However, its able to raise at between 15 to 25% for its projects and
activities, if the wage bill cost which falls under central government is removed.
Score; 3
Total Score
Grading (Best Score = 30, Pass Score 15 and above, Fail score 14 and below)
Requirement no. 1 Score = 3
5- Very Good,
4- Good,
3-Fair,
2-Poor,
1-Very Poor
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TOTAL = 20 Out Of A Possible 30 Or 67% Or 17% Over And Above the Required Pass Mark
WHAT DOES JINJA MUNICIPALITY GAIN IN CITY STATUS? JUST A CHANGE

IN NAME?
Increase in investment, the reasons for wanting an upgrade from municipal to city status range
from creating job opportunities to getting more funds from the central government. It is more
about employment, "Investors would want to know why a place has been granted city status.
They would want to establish businesses there. Many will set up shop in the new cities as
industrialists, on the assumption that people in cities have purchasing power. Once investors
establish factories, job opportunities would be created, which would help address unemployment
It also means additional funding, which money would help in service delivery. The services
include the construction of city roads, garbage collection, building primary schools and health
center.
The Local Government Act 1997 considers a city to be equivalent to a district, which is bigger
than a municipality and therefore given different treatment and funding.
PROSPECTS FOR JINJA CITY STATUS OBJECTIVE

1. According to the National Development Program or Vision 2040, Jinja is proposed to be
transformed into a strategic industrial city alongside Nakasongola, Hoima, and Fort Portal.
Therefore its inevitable that Jinja will be awarded city status anyway, if the NDP plan is seen
through.
2. In 2015, Cabinet endorsed a proposal to grant city status to five municipalities. These included
Arua, Gulu, Jinja, Mbarara and Mbale. However, the proposal is yet to go to parliament for
ratification.
3. Jinja is the second largest urban area in terms of land area after Kampala. Owing to the fact
Kampala is the only city in Uganda
4. Kiira Motors Corporation is in the process of setting up Ugandas first indigenous car industry in
Jinja. The industry will greatly improve the standing of Jinja in terms of industry and also
improve its prospects for city status by creating both forward and backward industries associated
with the car maker. This will increase employment opportunities, attract population and also
services to the district
5. The entry of NSSF into Jinjas real estate with the construction of a tower on Iganga Road,
promises to open up Jinja to more investment especially in real estate. Jinja has always been seen
as a risky area to invest in, owing to its low population and sluggish growth. The entry of NSSF,
Ugandas largest Social security provider with assets close to Shs 5 trillion, will allay these fears
and encourage investors to take a bold step into Jinja
6. Jinjas booming tourism sector will inevitably to push it to city status. Jinja alongside Kampala
and Entebbe are the urban towns most frequented by tourists in Uganda. This has seen a marked
rise in investment in hospitality facilities like hotels, restaurants, resorts, cafes and entertainment
places. Such investments provide employment, improve on Jinjas economy and growth of the
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town. Additionally , Jinja still has a lot of untapped tourism potential which is yet to be tapped in
by investors
7. The Kampala Jinja Expressway and Second Nile Bridge all slated to be completed in 2018 will
greatly boost the transport between the Ugandas capital and major economic hub and Jinja city.
Most investors perceive Jinja as being far from the Ugandas main market of Kampala and prefer
to build closer to it to cut on transport costs and time. However, with the completion of the
expressway and the bridge, transport will be much faster and more efficient, such that businesses
will not fear setting up shop in Jinja because of the distance in between it and Kampala city.
8. Jinjas natural economic growth, which has stepped up in the last ten years or so will inevitably
see it gain city status. The number of industries in Jinja is over 70 with more on the way, making
it only second to Kampala City. The city center has seen a marked increase in construction of
commercial and business structures including the Jinja Central Market and a number of plazas
along major streets, including an 8 story tower on Main Street called the Igar Plaza. Industries
have attracted economic migrants into the city. In additional services like schools, hospitals ,
hotels etc. have followed them
9. Kenyan high end coffee Caf chain Java House made its entry into the budding Jinja market,
promising to bring a flurry of other like restaurant chains and investments, kin on tapping into the
growing middle class of Jinja and the high number of tourists and travelers that make stopovers in
the town. High end chain restaurant is a mark of growth and prosperity for any town in which
they are located.
10. Speaker Kadaga promised in Jan 2015 block any elevations of towns to city status if Jinja is not
included. This means that for any tow to be granted city status, Jinja must have been either
granted or granted city status alongside it.
11. The USMID project, a World Bank funded projected to 14 Municipalities in Uganda will see
Jinjas major roads rehabilitated to modern standards. Currently, Nalufenya Road, the main road
entering Jinja from Kampala has been resurfaced and completed with street lighting and
pedestrian pathways. Main Street, Eng Zikusooka Road and Busoga Avenue are lined up for
rehabilitation in Phase 2 of the USMID project. Improvement of the road network in Jinja will
greatly improve transport within and without and also advance its prospects for city status
12. Jinjas booming tourism market has seen a substantial increase in hotel facilities in the town,
making it the town with the highest number of hotels after Kampala and Entebbe (Wakiso). Some
of the recent entrants include Signature Apartments, Nile Village Resort, Speke Courts Hotel,
Jinja City hotel, Source of the Nile Hotel, among others.
13. Jinja Municipality has six Universities and several higher institutions of learning. Universities
and higher institutions of learning have a pulling factor for populace and services which are vital
for growth of a city. The universities include Makerere- Jinja Campus, MUBS-Jinja Campus,
Kampala University Jinja Campus, Busoga University Jinja Campus, Nsaka University, and
Fairland University. IUIU and UTMU are set to set up campuses in Jinja. Institutes include,
International Institute of Health Sciences, Nile Vocational Institute, Jinja Vocational Institute,
Jinja School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uganda Civil Service College, Senior & Junior Staff
Command College-Military, among others
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14. A number of quality and international schools have recently set up shop in Jinja, promising to
improve the educational standards of Jinja both in academics and physical standards. These
include Horizon College, Viva College, and Rainbow Academy among others.
15. The admission of KYM Nile Hospital, Al Shafa Hospital, International Medical Center, Whisper
Childrens Hospital, and Almecca Medical Center is set to greatly boost access and quality of
health facilities and services in Jinja, which in turn is a prerequisite for a good city.
16. Jinja was the first Municipality to put in its demand for city status almost 10 years ago since
2006. Although the government has been dilly dallying about the matter, pressure on government
especially as other towns (including Mbarara, Gulu, Mbale, and Arua) join the fray to also
demand for city status, government will inevitably force to grant Jinja city status, in order not to
be seen to be unfair if other towns are awarded and Jinja left.
MAJOR HURDLES
Low local revenue collections

This limit the Municipalitys ability to be able to provide services as requirement by government
before city status can be granted. In addition, Jinja cannot raise the required 50% revenue to meet
its budgetary needs. A lot of services in the town are over stretched or nonexistent and city status
might simply add to the existing burden, these include, Street Lighting, roads maintenance,
garbage collection, health and education. All these services are already underfunded and some are
overstretched or entirely unfunded.
Very poor leadership
Jinjas leaders have continuously either knowingly or unknowingly sabotaged the prospects of
Jinjas city status bid.
1. Jinjas leaders have failed to transfer the district administration to Buwenge to pave way
for granting of city status as required by government, this was due to bickering and
infighting between the RDC, Mayor and Councilors. Madhivani Group and Wakiso
District had agreed to fund the relocation. Later on in 2015 Central government did
provide funds for the relocation, however, the funds were unspent by year end
2. A number of projects that could boost Jinjas city status bid, have failed to take off and
even shifted to other areas outside Jinja, as a result of frustration, sabotage,
disagreements, bribery from Jinja district leaders, especially among the councilors. These
include, Coca Cola factory, a multi-Billion Chinese Hospital in Buwenge, redevelopment
of Kakindu and Walukuba Stadiums, development of Source of the Nile, development of
land near Jinja Hospital for construction of Hospital, Shopping Mall and Apartments etc.
3. Lack of collective goodwill for Jinja City bid among the leaders
4. Jinja leaders are also consistently accused of infighting, bickering and pursuing of selfish
interests other than those for the district
Jinjas ailing infrastructure
Whereas Jinja has more built up and laid up infrastructure that most towns in Uganda, most of it
is run-down and in very sorry state. For instance the roads inside the business district like Main
Street, Eng. Dikusooka Road, Iganga Road, Lubas Road etc, are in a derelict state as they have
not been maintained or rehabilitated since colonial times. Additionally, schools, hospitals, sewage
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systems, water pipeline and public buildings and spaces are in need of rehabilitation. As the
population grows the ailing infrastructure is crumbling due to the existing pressure.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Jinja is transforming into a city one way or another. Its slated to become one of Ugandas
most attractive cities, with its combination of multiple tourist attractions and a number of industries
coupled with immense untapped natural resources for both tourism and industry. The grant of official
status from government will simply accelerate the progress already made on ground
Summary
Population in Proposed City area: between 280,000 to 357,000

Master Plan for Land Use: Available-The Best in Uganda
Office Space: Available but limited
Water Sources: Available in plenty
Ability to Meet Social Costs: Percentagewise approximately 15-25%
Local revenue for budget: Approx. 10% (total Budget is 35Billion)
Universities: Over 6 With Two yet to start
Institutions of Higher Learning 20 +
Secondary Schools: Available (Over 100 in district)
Primary Schools : Available 150+
Health Services: (over 105 health Facilities) Available but poor standards
Roads: Most are very neglected and in sorry state
References
http://www.ulii.org/ug/legislation/consolidated-act/243
http://budget.go.ug/budget/sites/default/files/Indivisual%20LG%20Budgets/JINJA%20BFP_0.pdf
http://www.ubos.org/onlinefiles/uploads/ubos/2009_HLG_%20Abstract_printed/jinja
%20district%202009%20statistical%20abstract%20FINAL1.pdf
http://budget.go.ug/budget/sites/default/files/Indivisual%20LG
%20Budgets/APPROVED%20Estimates%20FY%202016-17%20Volume%20II.pdf
http://allafrica.com/stories/201511232338.html
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Jinja--Mayor----government--city-status/688334-2642618-nv3sir/index.html
http://www.redpepper.co.ug/jinja-launches-ugx-100m-city-bid/
http://www.afrikareporter.com/mayor-faults-govt-over-jinja-city-status-drag/
http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1165624/jinja-city-bid-boosted
http://ugandaradionetwork.com/story/jinja-councilors-push-for-city-status
http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/Kadaga-vows-to-see-Jinja-elevated-to-citystatus/688334-2581404-r3iwb/index.html
http://allafrica.com/stories/200906230163.html
http://ugandaradionetwork.com.dedi3883.your-server.de/story/jinja-districtheadquarters-for-relocation
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http://www.redpepper.co.ug/first-childrens-hospital-in-jinja-opened/
http://www.newvision.co.ug/new_vision/news/1115318/jinja-city
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JINJA CITY STATUS BID

JINJA CITY TRANSFORMATION PROJECT (JINJA CTP)

PICTORGRAPH OF JINJA CITY

It should have a population of 350,000 people (reduced from 500,000)

HOW JINJA FAIRS ON ALL REQUIREMENTS FOR CITY STATUS

Master plan for Land Use

Ability to meet social services

WHAT DOES JINJA MUNICIPALITY GAIN IN CITY STATUS? JUST A CHANGE

PROSPECTS FOR JINJA CITY STATUS OBJECTIVE

Low local revenue collections

Population in Proposed City area: between 280,000 to 357,000

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