By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Brad Rulinda on September 15, 2024, inaugurated the executive committee members of Entebbe Municipal Development Forum (MDF) who will serve for a period of 2years.
Among the inaugurated members for different sectors include Rev.Fr. Julius Matovu (President), Harriet Nantalima (Vice president), Kenneth Odora (Security), Gracious Ahimbisibwe (male youth), Richard Kiyaga (transport sector), Bernard Osinya (academia), Joseph Lukyamuzi (Business community), Sheikh Rashid Muyingo (muslims), Dan Ssebuliba (manufacturers), Samuel Ochieng (performing arts) and Jessy Birungi (chronic illnesses).
While swearing-in MDF members for different sectors, Rulinda vehemently cautioned members to avoid mixing politics in their roles but instead stick on matters that can move Entebbe municipal council to greater heights.
“I request you to leave out politics in your roles. I have no problem working with anybody from any political party but what I want is to see that we move the city to the standard we want. I have tried my best to lobby to move things where I found them to a better level. Indeed, Entebbe deserves better, the leadership we have been giving it is not the one it deserves.
“I don’t agree that the council will be competing with members of MDF because I have seen a lot of things before but I just ignore them. MDF members should be able to guide the mayor to initiate policies because they are the representatives of the different sectors that make up Entebbe. I’m sure the people on MDF will guide me and council to make the right decisions and policies. In fact, MDF should be the guiding arm to help initiate policies that take care of the different sectors in Entebbe,” said Rulinda.
Mayor Fabrice Rulinda reiterated that:
“We can’t have MDF which is not represented in other sectors because all of them are stakeholders in Entebbe. Actually, MDF should be the Advisory council to the mayor of Entebbe and this council should be the think tank that advises me on matters affecting different sectors.
“The life span of a business in Entebbe is six months, this is because we are not nurturing businesses but instead people spend time on social media posting unnecessary things. We need to turn Entebbe into a hub for business development. When I assumed mayorship, I found a dirty city with poor roads and no street lights but as I talk we have a clean city and all the streets are lit with lights. Each of you, you have to advise me to do better for the people of Entebbe. But remember MDF is purely voluntary work, and I pledge to work with you closely and I’m not worried that your role will overtake mine, “Mayor Fabrice Rulinda stated.
On the issue of the trade order that was recently issued to regulate the operation of open air markets in Entebbe Municipality Mayor Fabrice Rulinda noted that:
“I am not chasing away open air markets in Entebbe but the council thought it wise to have one market day in a week in Entebbe Municipality. We have been having four market days in a week yet we built a modern market where we tax market vendors. As new sworn in members of MDF, take care of all government markets. In Kitooro market council collects Shs.4m as revenue every month yet the maintenance costs go up to Shs .20m implying we are operating in deficits. I don’t benefit from this market but I’m trying my best to ensure we have a modern city in Entebbe, “Mayor Rulinda expressed his concern.’
The Entebbe Municipal council Town clerk, Emmanuel Gacharo Mugisha told the newly sworn in MDF members that they are not there to compete with council and that they should know their roles are separate and different from those of council.
“The induction training you had at the beginning of this week was meant to take you through your roles and responsibilities. You only compliment on what council does and I assure you council has the ultimate powers including legislative and financial powers to decide on its budget.
“The role of Municipal Development Forum (MDF) is to carry out advocacy and I hope that was made clear to you during the induction training exercise. You have not come to take over the role of council and its political leadership. Just know you have come to compliment on what council does but council retains its ultimate powers such as legislative and financial powers. Don’t expect a salary from the council but if there is some facilitation we shall give you. As Entebbe Municipal council we are ready to work with you for effective service delivery, “Town Clerk Mugisha clearly told MDF members.
The outgoing MDF President Godfrey Bwandinga told the inaugurated members that the task they have taken up is purely voluntary and should not expect allowances or monetary gains from it but rather they should make work plans and make a follow up on them in addition to ensuring there is value for taxpayers’ money.
In his maiden speech upon being sworn-in as the new Municipal Development Forum president, Rev.Fr. Julius Matovu pledged to work closely with all different sectors to be able to steer Entebbe to greater heights.
