In a bid to elevate the standards of Mukono Municipality under the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area project, a delegation of Mukono leaders, including technical experts, political leaders, and members of the Municipal Development Forum (MDF), embarked on a benchmarking tour to the cities of Soroti and Lira. The visit aimed to learn from the urban development strategies and infrastructure projects implemented in these cities.
The delegation, led by Mukono Municipality officials, explored key landmarks and development projects in Soroti and Lira, including Soroti Main Market, Lira Market, Lira Children’s Park, and other significant sites. The tour provided an opportunity for Mukono leaders to gather insights and best practices that could be replicated in their own municipality.
Dr. Richard Okello Odyek, the Commercial Officer of Lira City, commended the Mukono team for their proactive approach to urban planning and development. He emphasized the importance of strategic leadership in driving sustainable growth, particularly in areas such as road construction, market development, and public space management.
Edupu Samuel, President of the Soroti City Development Forum, and Ekenya Emmanuel, President of the Lira City Development Forum, shared valuable experiences and lessons learned from their respective cities. They highlighted the collaborative efforts between local governments, development forums, and communities in achieving progress.
Damage Asekenyi, the Community Development Officer of Soroti City, provided a detailed overview of the processes involved in constructing the Soroti Main Market. He explained the steps taken to ensure the project’s success, including community engagement, planning, and execution.
The Mukono delegation expressed gratitude for the warm reception and the wealth of knowledge gained during the tour. They acknowledged the importance of such benchmarking visits in fostering collaboration and sharing best practices among urban centers in Uganda.
Upon their return, the Mukono leaders pledged to implement the lessons learned to enhance the development of their municipality. They emphasized the need for strong leadership, community involvement, and strategic planning to transform Mukono into a model city within the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The visit underscored the importance of inter-city collaboration and knowledge exchange in driving Uganda’s urban development agenda. By learning from the successes of Soroti and Lira, Mukono is poised to take significant strides in improving its infrastructure and service delivery for the benefit of its residents.
