Authorities in Kazo Town Council in Kazo District have revealed that they are in the final plans of securing a physical plan in an effort to control the mushrooming unplanned and uncoordinated physical developments in the area.
Justus Mugarura, the Kazo Town Council Mayor told our reporter that they have secured UGX 50 million raised from the local revenue and started the process to secure the Physical plan.
Mugarura added that once the physical plan is secured, its implementation might be tricky since the town council has developed many buildings constructed without plans.
Shibah Ntungire, the Kazo Town Council Clerk said they started the process to have a physical development plan in 2019 and have been saving UGX 5 million annually for the same purpose noting that they will soon have its draft despite the delay.
However, Enock Nshemereire Rutashorora, the Former Chairperson LC III Kazo Town Council said having a physical development plan during his tenure was delayed by the lack of funds noting that it required UGX 100 million which the newly created Town council never had.
Rutashorora said he had successfully lobbied from the ministry of local government through the then assistant commissioner in charge of Urban administration, Charles Katarikawe who had promised to provide them with money in phases until the plan was in place.
He added that Katarikawe gave them UGX 14 million as a start-up fund but it was diverted by the then Town Clerk and Physical Planner who failed to account for it noting that the ministry stopped the funding.
He said that after the corruption incident, they agreed to start saving from their local revenue and by the end of his tenure they had saved over UGX 20 million on the council account to have a physical development plan.
In response, Mugarura, the current Mayor rubbished the claims that his predecessor had raised over UGX 20 million for the same purpose saying this money was not on the town council account.
Katurebe Apollo, the town council physical planner said that they lack a physical development plan but they are guided by the physical planning act 2010 which recognizes the whole country to follow physical planning guidelines where no development should be allowed to take place without the approval of the Physical Development Committee.
He also added that as far as conserving concerns they are guided by the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to ensure that an environmental impact assessment is done before developments are carried out in sensitive areas like wetlands.
A Physical Development Plan is a document used to provide decision-makers with the information they need to make informed decisions affecting the social, economic, and physical growth of an area.
According to Section 25 of the Physical Planning Act 2010, the Physical Development Plan includes a topographical survey in respect of the area to which the plan relates carried out in the prescribed manner; maps and descriptions as may be necessary to indicate how the land in the area may be used; and a technical report on the conditions, resources, and facilities in the area.
