MoLG and NPA convene national workshop on physical planning

5 September 2025, 11:36 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Ministry of Local Government (MoLG), in partnership with the National Planning Authority (NPA), has convened a national workshop bringing together physical planners from across Uganda.

The meeting, held to validate guidelines for the preparation and approval of physical development plans, the handling of appeals and changes in land use, and the application of the physical planning compliance assessment tool, was officially opened in Kampala by the Permanent Secretary of the MoLG, Ben Kumumanya.

Kumumanya welcomed participants from various regions, noting strong representation from districts such as Amolatar, Adjumani, and Karenga. He commended the commitment of local governments to the process and stressed the importance of equipping planners with tools and knowledge that they could share with colleagues unable to attend.

He highlighted the urgent need to validate fiscal planning guidelines and compliance tools to ensure that Uganda’s local governments meet international standards. He also emphasised the need to align local physical development plans with the National Physical Development Plan (NPDP) and the broader national vision, observing that both micro and macro-level interventions are critical for attracting investment and fostering economic growth.

However, he acknowledged persistent challenges in local-level physical planning. Many local governments face difficulties in allocating funds and personnel to these functions, and in some cases, physical planning committees remain non-functional. This has led to unplanned and uncontrolled developments, which negatively affect infrastructure, increase pollution, and undermine community development.

To address these challenges, the Ministry is collaborating with the College of Engineering, Design, Art, and Technology (CEDAT) to provide graduate trainees to support local governments in producing affordable physical development plans. Kumumanya urged local governments to be proactive and timely in engaging with these initiatives and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing the necessary support for effective plan implementation.

“The reorganisation of physical planning is vital if we are to achieve meaningful social and economic transformation,” Kumumanya said, officially declaring the workshop open.

Adding to this, Dr Joseph Muvawala, Executive Director of the National Planning Authority, pledged continued support for physical planners, including the establishment of a dedicated fund for physical planning. He also announced that reporting lines for physical planners will be streamlined to improve accountability and efficiency. Dr Muvawala further urged physical planners to ensure that all local governments develop both structural and detailed plans that extend down to the village level.