By Mike Rwothomio

Local leaders in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District, have included Uganda Prisons Service Paidha among the facilities slated for relocation as part of the council’s updated physical development plan. 

This strategic move aims to repurpose the prison’s over 20-acres expansive site for future development, with proposals to establish a hospital and a golf course on the land. 

The proposal emerged during a review of the Paidha Town Council Physical Development Plan 2025–2035, held on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Paidha Cultural Center.

The meeting brought together area councilors, technocrats, and officials from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development to discuss the town’s spatial planning priorities.

Innocent Godfrey Onega, the LCIII Chairperson of Paidha Town Council, explained that the prison would be relocated to Paidha Sub-County, while the town’s lorry park would shift to Oturgang Ward.

These changes are part of a broader effort to reorganize and modernize the town, which has faced criticism for delays in implementing its physical development plan since its elevation to a town board in the 1990s.

The bustling border town, with a population exceeding 40,000 and business as a key revenue driver, sits along the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border.

Through the physical development plan, the council aims to address spatial planning challenges including infrastructure, housing, and public amenities.

Lorry Park Disposal Sparks Debate

A contentious issue in the plan is the proposed sale of the lorry park, located in the heart of Paidha.

Established in the 1990s when truck traffic was minimal, the park is now deemed inadequate for the town’s growing needs.

“We believe the lorry park can’t be expanded to accommodate more lorries,” Onega said, suggesting its conversion into a more suitable development.

However, disposing of the lorry park requires adherence to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Regulations, 2023.

The process involves the Procurement and Disposal Unit submitting a request to the Contracts Committee using Form 29, followed by public bidding advertised in a nationally circulated newspaper and other appropriate media.

Amos Jacan, an LCIII aspirant for Paidha Town Council, supported the disposal, provided legal and procedural guidelines are followed.

 “If we can use the law to establish a new lorry park elsewhere, it would be prudent,” he said.

Meanwhile, a councilor, speaking anonymously to this publication, emphasized the need for transparency: “The issue isn’t opposition to development—it’s about following necessary procedures. Selling government property without due process won’t work.”  

Community Engagement and Challenges

The council has been engaging communities to raise awareness about the physical development plan, which includes road construction, recreational facilities, markets, schools, health centers, and police posts.

However, resistance persists, with many residents constructing buildings without consulting the town’s physical planning department. 

Political interference has also hindered progress, as some leaders prioritize short-term interests over long-term planning goals.

A facilitator from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, speaking at the review meeting, urged leaders to set aside politics: “Your proposals will shape this town for years to come. Keep politics out of it.”  

Engineering and Planning Perspectives

From an engineering standpoint, the relocation of the prison and lorry park aligns with efforts to optimize land use and infrastructure. 

The proposed hospital and golf course on the prison site would require detailed feasibility studies by the engineering department to assess terrain, drainage, and utility connections.

Similarly, relocating the lorry park to Oturgang Ward demands careful planning for road access, traffic flow, and structural capacity to accommodate heavy vehicles, according to some local leaders.

Desmond Odota, Paidha’s Town Clerk, stressed the need for collaboration between leaders, the community, and technical experts to ensure effective implementation.

The council also hopes to address the town’s dilapidated housing stock through improved planning standards.  

Legal Framework and National Context

The Physical Planning Act 2010 designates Uganda as a planning area, mandating that all developments comply with approved physical development plans. The Act supports hierarchical planning at national, regional, urban, and local levels to ensure consistency and guide sustainable growth. 

Swaib, a physical planner from the Ministry, praised Paidha’s efforts: “This aligns with the Physical Planning Act and will optimize resource use.” 

However, the Ministry notes a broader challenge: many local governments lack comprehensive guidelines for planning processes, leading to inconsistent quality in physical development plans.

Paidha’s review, set to be evaluated by Ministry officials, will test the council’s ability to balance ambition with practicality.  

Looking Ahead

Optimism surrounds the potential of the 2025–2035 plan to enhance Paidha’s infrastructure, economy, and living conditions. Yet, its success hinges on overcoming community skepticism, political obstacles, and procedural hurdles.

For now, the council’s leadership faces a critical test in translating vision into action.