Mukono District Local Government has taken a major step towards shaping its future growth and development through the unveiling of the Mukono District Physical Development Plan (PDP) 2026–2040. The comprehensive plan, developed with support from the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA) Urban Development Program, is designed to guide sustainable urbanization, infrastructure expansion, industrialization, environmental conservation, and improved service delivery across the district over the next fifteen years.
The plan was presented during a meeting that brought together members of the Mukono Development Forum (MDF), district technical officers, town clerks, physical planning committees, representatives from GKMA, and consultants from Latitude Consultants Ltd, the firm responsible for preparing the development framework.
Speaking on behalf of the Chief Administrative Officer, Principal Assistant CAO Mr. Daniel Kamara emphasized the need for strict enforcement of physical planning regulations to ensure orderly development within the district.
Mr. Kamara expressed concern over increasing cases of illegal land subdivision, the sale of unapproved plots, and encroachment on wetlands, warning that such practices threaten sustainable development and environmental protection.
He urged local leaders and physical planning committees to strengthen community sensitization efforts and ensure that all developments comply with approved physical planning standards. He further pledged district support to town clerks and planning authorities enforcing planning laws and regulations.
A socio-economic analysis presented during the meeting revealed that Mukono District’s population has increased significantly from 596,804 people in 2014 to 932,672 people in 2024, representing an annual growth rate of 4.6 percent. This rapid growth has increased demand for housing, transport infrastructure, healthcare services, education facilities, employment opportunities, and environmental management.
To address these challenges, the Physical Development Plan proposes a coordinated spatial development framework that prioritizes industrialization, tourism development, infrastructure improvement, agricultural modernization, environmental sustainability, and enhanced public service delivery.
Among the key projects proposed under the plan is the establishment of a multimodal industrial hub in Nakifuma-Naggalama, aimed at attracting investment, creating employment opportunities, and stimulating economic growth within the district.
The plan also proposes the development of Kibanga Port in Ntenjeru-Kisoga, which is expected to improve water transport and strengthen trade connections between Mukono District and other destinations around Lake Victoria, including Kampala, Jinja, Entebbe, and island communities.
Additional transport infrastructure projects include ferry terminals at Katosi, Mpunge, and Mpatta, the establishment of a multimodal transport hub in Nakifuma, expansion of taxi parks and bus parks, and extension of railway connections to key economic centers.
Recognizing the growing challenge of waste management, the plan projects that Mukono District will generate more than 142,000 tonnes of solid waste annually by 2040. To address this, new waste transfer stations are proposed in Kimenyede and Ntenjeru-Nakisunga to complement existing facilities and improve waste collection and disposal systems.
Environmental protection also features prominently in the development strategy, with proposals for wetland conservation, restoration of degraded ecosystems, protection of forest reserves, and promotion of sustainable land-use practices.
The Physical Development Plan further identifies tourism as a key driver of economic transformation. Areas earmarked for tourism development include Mpunge, Mpatta, Katosi, Kasawo, Kimenyede, Koome, Nagojje, and Namunganga. Existing attractions such as Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Sezibwa Falls, Ddindo Hill, and cultural heritage sites are expected to benefit from improved infrastructure and investment.
To support food security and economic growth, the plan encourages urban agriculture and proposes the establishment of additional markets across town councils to facilitate trade and improve access to agricultural products.
District Physical Planner Mr. Kamoga Hamuza proposed that local leaders maintain records of land transactions within their jurisdictions to strengthen monitoring, improve compliance with planning regulations, and reduce illegal land dealings.
Officials also emphasized that all future developments, including construction projects and land subdivisions, must obtain approval from the relevant authorities before implementation. Failure to comply will attract enforcement measures, including stop notices, restoration orders, demolition of illegal structures, and legal penalties as provided under the Physical Planning Act.
Closing the meeting, Mukono Development Forum President Ms. Martha Nangobi commended stakeholders for their active participation and urged physical planning committees to execute their responsibilities diligently.
She noted that the success of the Physical Development Plan will depend on effective collaboration between district leaders, technical officers, local communities, and development partners.
The unveiling of the Mukono District Physical Development Plan 2026–2040 marks a significant milestone in the district’s journey toward sustainable urban growth, economic transformation, and improved service delivery. With strategic investments in infrastructure, transport, industrialization, tourism, environmental conservation, and public services, the plan provides a clear roadmap for managing Mukono’s rapid population growth and development needs.
District leaders called upon communities, investors, local governments, and stakeholders to support the implementation of the plan and comply with physical planning regulations. If successfully implemented, the PDP is expected to transform Mukono into a well-planned, economically vibrant, environmentally sustainable, and competitive district capable of meeting the needs of its growing population while creating opportunities for future generations.
