The Minister for urban development Uganda Margaret Annet Muhanga Mugisa offered to transfer the capital from Campala to Nakasongol, where you can build a modern city from scratch. It was announced at the meeting of the parliamentary Commission on land law and urban development.
Tanzania's decision to transfer the administrative Center from Dar-es Salam to the Dodom probably influenced the position of the Minister. Uganda can learn lessons from this experience and experience of other countries that have implemented such changes. The presence of the Ministry of urban development would be useful for Tanzania. The uncontrolled growth of cities requires active measures to improve the urban environment.
After independence, many African countries have moved their administrative centres. Botswana, Malawi, Nigeria, Côte d'ivoire and Tanzania replaced the former capital to new ones. In Tanzania, the process of moving to Dodom began in 1973, but only since 2016 it has accelerated significantly. This experience can be useful to Uganda.
Political will is required for successful transformation. Delays increase the risk of failure due to economic or political instability.
Uganda's Minister believes that Campala is no longer suitable for the administrative Center because of transport problems and lack of space for expansion. Daily traffic losses are $ 1.6 billion, such a situation in Campal reminds Dar Es Salam. The question is whether capital transfer will help to solve transport problems.
Large cities develop according to their laws, and transfer of the capital does not always solve problems of traffic jams. Lagos, despite the transfer of the capital to Abuju, remains overwhelmed. Abuja also faces congestion due to demographic growth and intensive transport.
Kampala problems are related to infrastructure shortcomings and the growth of the fleet. The Minister believes that the city lost its viability and it needs to leave. However, even when the capital is transferred, the population and economic activity will remain, requiring significant investment in infrastructure.
The late President John Magufuli stressed that the transfer of the capital does not mean the refusal of Dar es Salam. This can be a step towards the formation of a new national identity.
Nakasongola, the expected place for the new capital of Uganda, is conveniently located and has a suitable relief for construction. Urban planning is considering the Coast of Lake Kyoga as the optimal place for the new administrative Center.
Despite the long discussions on the transfer of Uganda capital, the main problem of cities is the quality of management. The new Center can be comfortable while the population is small, but the problems of the old capital can be repeated. Constant movements are impossible and lead to loss of valuable archives.
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