PROJECT WAR! Mbarara South Mayor Jomo Takes On Kakyebezi Over ‘Segregation’

By Amos Tayebwa
MBARARA

Mbarara City South Division Mayor Jomo Mugabe has protested what he describes as unfair distribution of government projects between the city’s two divisions, accusing City Mayor Robert Mugabe Kakyebezi, the Town Clerk and some members of the city executive of favouring Mbarara City North Division.

Jomo’s complaint follows the commissioning of several projects across Mbarara City on September 29 and 30, 2026, during an exercise led by Deputy City Mayor Ronald Taremwa Bamuhaira and the office of the Resident City Commissioner.

The projects commissioned included classroom blocks, staff quarters and a toilet block in seven primary schools.

However, Jomo says South Division received only one of the seven projects, while the remaining six were implemented in North Division.

The South Division project was a staff-quarter block at Rucence Primary School, while the schools in North Division that benefited included Nyabuhama Primary School, Kamatarisi Primary School, Biharwe Mixed Primary School, Biharwe Muslim Primary School, Kishasha Primary School and Rwobuyenje Primary School.

Speaking to RedPepper, Jomo questioned why the projects were concentrated in one division, arguing that the imbalance raises concerns about equitable service delivery across the city.

“It is unfair that out of seven schools, City Council gave South Division only one project at Rucence Primary School, where they constructed a staff-quarter block, while other projects were taken to North Division,” Jomo said.

He further claimed that the imbalance was not limited to the recently commissioned projects, alleging that projects allocated for the current financial year have also largely gone to North Division.

According to Jomo, this has left South Division concerned about what he described as unequal development and service delivery.

He also cited road infrastructure, saying roads pledged by President Yoweri Museveni for Mbarara City had, in his view, largely been directed to North Division.

“I therefore urge our leaders from Mbarara City Council to look into this matter. At least let them balance us without discrimination. We cannot keep quiet and leave this thing unnoticed when we are not benefiting from the centre,” Jomo said.

The Mayor also raised concerns over the distribution of road funds and revenue collected by South Division.

He alleged that the division does not receive its expected share of road funds and property-tax revenue collected on its behalf by the city authorities, despite claiming that South Division generates more revenue than other divisions in the city.

Jomo said the matter could trigger further action by leaders from the division if the concerns are not addressed.

“I am going to call upon my fellow leaders from South Division to see what to do. If it means going to higher authorities, we shall reach there,” he said.

“We have always not received our remittance from City Council as we are supposed to. It is also a complaint. Now when you add this also, that is adding injury to the wound. We are grieved as Mbarara City South Division.”

Jomo also accused City Mayor Kakyebezi of failing to ensure what he considers balanced service delivery between the two divisions.

He further alleged that a member of Kakyebezi’s executive committee has been influencing decisions on how projects are distributed between South and North divisions.

The allegations could not be independently verified, and the officials named in the complaints were not immediately available for comment.

Mbarara City is administratively divided into North and South divisions, with both responsible for delivering services to residents within their respective areas.