Da Dona
JF-Expert Member
- Dec 16, 2025
- 858
- 533
Uganda is once again considering moving its administrative capital away from Kampala, with State Minister for Urban Development Margaret Muhanga saying government could gradually relocate ministries, departments and agencies to Nakasongola by 2040.Watch here.
Nakasongola
A largely rural district in Uganda’s Central Region, has more space for planned urban development than densely populated Kampala. The idea is to build a new city from the ground up rather than continue expanding an increasingly congested capital.
But the proposal raises a bigger question: Should Uganda build a new capital, or fix the problems that have made Kampala difficult to live in, and can these be solved ?
Who is responsible for Kampala's problems?
Kampala faces persistent traffic congestion, According to DW Academy, Uganda loses Upto $1.6Billion annually in traffic Jam, other challenges include flooding, poor drainage, unplanned construction and pressure on roads and other public services.
Citizens have a right to ask: Who allowed construction in drainage channels and other risky areas? Who failed to enforce planning regulations? Why has traffic management remained inadequate despite years of congestion?
Moving government offices does not answer these questions.
What would it take to build Nakasongola?
A new capital would require much more than government headquarters.
Nakasongola would need modern roads and public transport, hospitals, schools, markets, hotels, housing, reliable water and electricity, drainage and sewerage systems, waste management, police and emergency services, telecommunications, commercial centres and strong links to other parts of the country.
It would also require a clear financing plan and strong oversight to prevent inflated contracts, abandoned projects and misuse of public funds.
Can 2040 be achieved?
If government intends to make the transition by 2040, citizens need to know the roadmap.
How much will it cost? Which institutions will move first? When will construction begin? Who will fund and supervise the projects? How will land acquisition and compensation be handled?
There is also another question: If government has a long-term plan to move away from Kampala, why are new government headquarters and other major public buildings still being constructed in the city?
Is there a clear transition plan, or are taxpayers investing in buildings that could eventually become underutilised?
What happens to Kampala?
Even if government relocates, Kampala will remain Uganda's major commercial centre.
It will still need investment in roads, drainage, public transport, flood control, waste management and urban planning.
The debate, therefore, should not simply be Kampala versus Nakasongola.
It should be about whether Uganda can build a better-planned capital without repeating the failures that have contributed to Kampala's current problems.
Would you support moving Uganda's administrative capital to Nakasongola by 2040, or should government focus on fixing Kampala first?
What guarantees would you want before such a costly project begins?
