Five New Cities Set to Launch, Reshaping Uganda’s Urban Map
Uganda to Establish Five New Cities by July 2026 — Boosting Regional Growth
The government of Uganda has announced that five additional urban centres will be designated as full “cities” and become operational by 1 July 2026.
Originally set to start by 1 July 2025 but due to emerging issues,this date was shifted to 2026.This move will bring the total number of cities in Uganda to 16.
The five new cities are:
Moroto (in Karamoja region) — expected to serve as a hub for mineral exploration and tourism.
Kabale (southwestern Uganda) — known for its scenic “Switzerland of Africa” terrain, seen as a tourism boost.
Entebbe (on the shores of Lake Victoria, and home to Uganda’s international airport) — positioning itself as a gateway for trade and tourism.
Nakasongola (central region) — expected to ease administrative and economic pressure on the capital region.
Wakiso (in the central region around Kampala) — its elevation to city status aims to manage urban sprawl and support the capital’s expansion.
Why this matters:
This reflects a strategic push toward balanced regional development — instead of concentrating growth only in the capital, Kampala.
Urbanisation will bring opportunities: improved infrastructure, employment, services, and investment in these new cities.
But the challenges are real: proper planning, funding, service delivery, and avoiding uncontrolled sprawl or infrastructure deficits will be critical. Some local leaders have already flagged concerns about funding and capacity.
Looking ahead:
As these five new cities become operational, the key questions will be:
How quickly will infrastructure (roads, water, power, sanitation) scale up?
Will local governments in the new cities attract investment and support local economic growth?
How will the shift influence migration patterns, housing, and service demands?
For readers of The Urban Gazette, this is a landmark moment in Uganda’s urban story — and worth tracking closely.
