Kampala Lord Mayor Ronald Balimwezo has pushed back against a proposal to relocate Uganda’s capital from Kampala to Nakasongola, saying such a move would require broad public consultation and adherence to the country’s constitutional and legal framework.
The debate follows remarks by Minister of State for Urban Development Margaret Muhanga, who last week called for the government to revisit Uganda’s Vision 2040 plan and consider establishing a new capital city in Nakasongola District.
Muhanga argued that Kampala had become increasingly difficult to manage and unlivable, suggesting that constructing a new city from the ground up could offer a long-term response to the capital’s growing congestion and infrastructure challenges.
But Balimwezo said the capital’s status cannot simply be altered through a government announcement.
“Kampala became the capital of Uganda in 1962, and any decision to change the capital would require careful consideration of the constitutional and legal implications,” Balimwezo said.
He said any proposal to move the capital should be subjected to “proper consultation, public participation, and, where required, the appropriate constitutional processes.”
‘Kampala is the heartbeat of Uganda’
Balimwezo defended Kampala’s role as Uganda’s economic centre, arguing that the city remains deeply embedded in the country’s commercial and social life.
“Kampala is not just a city; it is the heartbeat of Uganda,” he said.
He pointed to the wider Kampala metropolitan area, where more than 4.5 million people live, work and conduct business, as evidence of the scale of the disruption that could accompany a capital relocation.
Balimwezo warned that moving government institutions and other major activities away from Kampala could have consequences for businesses, families and workers whose livelihoods depend on the city.
“Moving the capital would have a significant impact. It could disrupt businesses, displace families, and affect many people whose livelihoods depend on Kampala,” he said.
Rather than abandoning Kampala, the Lord Mayor called for increased investment to address the problems that have fueled calls for a new capital.
He said government should prioritize roads, public transportation, waste management, housing and other essential services while simultaneously investing in urban centres outside Kampala.
Funding gap limits Kampala’s development
Balimwezo also blamed inadequate funding for some of Kampala’s persistent challenges, saying the Kampala Capital City Authority needs substantially more resources to execute its development plans.
“KCCA Budget is 2.4 trillion per financial year, but the government only manages to avail 40% which is too small to manage all the projects we intend to do. This leaves us with a gap of 60%,” he said.
He argued that improving the capital would require government to match Kampala’s responsibilities with adequate financial resources rather than treating relocation as the primary solution.
Transport remains one of the biggest challenges.
Balimwezo said Kampala could significantly reduce congestion if government invested in modern mass-transit systems, including Bus Rapid Transit, rail and a metro network.
“We want to decongest Kampala by improving public transportation through the introduction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), trains, and a metro system. However, we currently have limited funds to implement these projects,” he said.
‘Develop Kampala and other cities’
Balimwezo said he supports the development of other urban centres but rejected the idea that Uganda must choose between Kampala and a new capital.
“The solution is not to abandon Kampala. The solution is to develop Kampala while strengthening and properly funding other cities across Uganda,” he said.
His position puts the emphasis on decentralizing economic growth rather than physically relocating the seat of government.
He called for dialogue involving government ministers, Kampala leaders, Members of Parliament and other stakeholders to examine the capital’s problems and identify practical solutions.
“The people of Kampala are not resistant to progress. We are resistant to decisions being made without our involvement,” Balimwezo said.
The dispute highlights a broader question facing Uganda as its urban population and economy expand: whether the country should invest heavily in fixing Kampala’s longstanding infrastructure problems or pursue the more radical option of creating a new administrative capital.
For Balimwezo, Kampala’s future should not be determined by a unilateral decision.
He maintained that the city belongs to all Ugandans and that any decision on its future should emerge from inclusive consultation and a shared national vision.
