By Andrew Irumba
Fortportal: A number of Ugandans from various regions have spent the whole of today jubilating over their municipalities turning into cities under Article 179(1) A of the Constitution and declaration of cities under Section 7(2a) of the Local Gov’t Act.
Among these include the King of Tooro His Majesty King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, who has congratulated his people for the elevation of Fort Portal town into Tourism City of Uganda.
King Oyo has also urged his people to unite and take advantage of the current new status for the development and prosperity of the Kingdom than bickering.
The youthful King and Aids ambassador also went ahead and called up all those who would wish to enjoy the beauty of Fort Portal especially tourists to feel free to visit the most cleanest city gifted with beautiful sceneries and uniqueness in its own might.
“I congratulate the people of Tooro for the elevation of Fort Portal, the Tooro Kingdom Headquarters as the Tourism City of Uganda. I urge you all to unite and take advantage of this status for the development and prosperity of our Kingdom. I welcome you all to Visit Tooro” he said.
Fort Portal has always been described as the gateway to some of the most beautiful sceneries with numerous crater lakes, hills, mountains, endemic fauna and flora and one of the most beautiful serene and hospitable people you can find, the Batooro that comprise the majority of the population.
Fort Portal turning into a city was spearheaded by the area Hon. Alex Ruhunda aka Nikisoboka, who chaired the task force to transform the urban centre into a tourism city, after majority of 312 Members of Parliament supported the Motion for resolution of Parliament to declare new cities.
Among the municipalities that turned into cities with effect from today 1,July 2020 include Arua City, Gulu City, Jinja City, Mbarara City, Fort Portal City, Mbale City, and Masaka City. However,some pundits say this will only bring more burden to already limping economy in sustaining their huge budgets as most literally collect low local revenues to sustain them.
