UGANDA: Gulu City Expands Urban Greening Strategy as Outgoing Mayor Hands Over Office

By Okumu Livingstone Langol, Uganda Correspondent

Gulu City | Friday, May 8, 2026

Outgoing Gulu City Mayor Alfred Okwonga has officially handed over office, highlighting environmental protection, urban greening, and improved city management as some of the key achievements of his administration.

The handover ceremony, which took place in Gulu City, was attended by city councillors, executive members, technical staff, and members of the press. Although the function had been scheduled for 2:00 PM, it started much later due to official logistical arrangements, according to City Clerk Innocent Ahimbisibwe.

Speaking during the ceremony, Okwonga said he leaves office with pride after serving the people of Gulu City and contributing to its transformation from a municipality into a modern city.

“I am a citizen of Gulu City and I will continue to contribute to its development. Being mayor comes with responsibility and opportunity cost, and I served with objectivity and commitment,” Okwonga said.

He said his leadership focused on transparency, accountability, road infrastructure improvement, revenue mobilization, and environmental conservation.

According to Okwonga, one of the city’s major priorities was protecting the environment against the effects of global warming through tree planting and the protection of Pece Stream.

“The most important development for Gulu City is environmental protection. We are trying to mitigate the effects of global warming by planting trees and protecting the Pece Stream. We developed a joint plan with the Town Clerk for greening Gulu City,” he said.

He added that the city administration had agreed that all future developments must include environmental planning to ensure sustainable urban growth.

Okwonga also said his administration introduced digital revenue collection systems after discovering poor records management when he assumed office in 2021.

He noted that between October and July of the 2021 financial year, the city collected UGX 15 billion in local revenue.

He further revealed that instead of purchasing an official mayoral vehicle, he directed the city to use the funds to acquire a grader to improve road maintenance.

“When I joined office, I found the grader was not there. I advised that the money meant for buying the mayor’s official vehicle should instead be used to buy a grader for road works,” he said.

His administration also recruited road gangs and purchased equipment to support routine cleaning and maintenance of city streets.

On public services, Okwonga cited improvements in water supply after lobbying for support through German development partners and GIZ, leading to the construction of a water project sourcing water from the River Nile near Karuma.

He also praised the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) for improving water access in the city.

Before 2021, he said, Gulu suffered severe electricity shortages that affected businesses and critical services such as healthcare at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital.

“Load shedding used to affect the city for days, causing serious losses and even affecting patients in hospitals, especially children in incubators,” he said.

He noted that electricity supply has since stabilized, creating a better environment for business and service delivery.

On waste management, Okwonga said the city is implementing a UGX 3.5 billion landfill improvement project at Agwee Ward near Pece Stream, supported by development partners including GIZ and the USMID programme.

The landfill is expected to handle more than 130 tonnes of waste daily and improve waste disposal standards in the city.

Recently, top officials from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), led by Executive Director Prof. James Okot Okumu and Dr. Barirega Akankwasah, visited the landfill and recommended the creation of an additional waste management site due to increasing waste volumes and poor decomposition of organic and chemical waste.

Michael Rubanga also appealed to NEMA officials to strengthen community sensitization on waste segregation and sanitation, noting that residents in Laroo-Pece and Layibi divisions are being encouraged to separate waste at household level.

Okwonga used the occasion to encourage incoming Mayor Julius Labeja Gunya to maintain integrity, transparency, and continuity in leadership.

“Leadership is a continuation of work. Development must continue, and integrity must remain at the centre of public service,” he said.

City officials praised Okwonga for formally handing over office and maintaining accountability in leadership, noting that many leaders leave office without proper documentation.

The outgoing mayor presented office documents, keys, land titles, and official records to ensure a smooth transition of leadership.