Matrix City Developers

30/04/2025

OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE

To His Excellency the President, Honorable Cabinet Members, Leaders, Members of Parliament, Physical Planning Cadres, and Commissioners in Land use and governance:

Subject: Prioritizing Physical Planning for Sustainable Urban Development

We are writing to bring to your esteemed attention the pressing urban challenges facing our nation due to the Rapid urbanization that has resulted in numerous issues, including the proliferation of slum developments, inadequate infrastructure, poor housing conditions, destruction it natural resources and increased vulnerability to flooding. These challenges underscore the urgent need for effective physical planning to shape the future of our urban centers.

The lack of prioritization of physical planning has led to unplanned development, compromising the aesthetic appeal and livability of our cities. Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure, including insufficient roads, public transport, and utilities, hinders economic growth and development.

To address these challenges, we strongly advocate for the prioritization of physical planning. By integrating planning into urban development, we can create sustainable, livable, and thriving cities. Employing skilled planners and allocating sufficient resources for planning initiatives and infrastructure development are crucial steps in this regard.

We respectfully urge Your Excellencies and Honorable Members to consider the long-term benefits of investing in physical planning. Effective planning will not only improve the quality of life for citizens but also foster sustainable development and economic growth.

To move forward, we propose the following:

1. The government, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, develops and implements comprehensive physical development plans that prioritize sustainability, livability, and economic growth.
2. Increase funding allocated for planning initiatives, infrastructure development, and capacity building for planning professionals.
3. Policymakers engage with planners and experts to inform urban development decisions. All national projects should include planners.
4. Recruit physical planners at all subcounties, town councils and town boards. Alot of development happens in these places minus guidance
5. Bring politicians, army officers and business men on table to dictate the future of urban development through dialogues. These people own land and buildings yet they build illegally.
6. Recruit enforcement officer's to help in illegal constructions, development control and building management - They should as well help in illegal land subdivisons.
7. Streamline practically the profession of real estate management. These people cause illegal substandard land subdivisions which bring about slums in all places around the country - They are assisted by LC1 chairpersons
8. Have a national dialogue with all stakeholders of this mighty country - to establish what went wrong after independence and forge a clear path for proper future development. Which issues must be practical.
9. Set free the hands of physical planners and engineers at district, city, municipality and town council to permit them exercise section 33, 34 etc of the physical planning Act 2010.
10. Revisit the land Act to reduce the power of individuals/land Lords in land use management - These people assume much power and would build any thing they feel like at any time especially during public holidays and weekends. They also reject govt projects.

Therefore, by prioritizing physical planning, the country will be able to realise better, more sustainable cities for all. We look forward to your respectful consideration and attention to this critical matter that is slowly eating all our urban areas..

Sincerely,
Matrix City Developers Ug. Ltd.
[email protected]

20/04/2025

*A Plea to the President: Save Uganda's Physical Planning from Chaos..!!😭

In the land of beauty and wonder, where the sun rises over the rolling hills and the Nile River flows majestically, lies a crisis that threatens to undo all progress. Physical planning, the backbone of any thriving nation, has been reduced to a mere afterthought. The very institutions tasked with ensuring orderly development seem to be mere spectators as chaos unfolds.😭😭

Roads, once envisioned as arteries of progress, are now choked with encroachments, their integrity compromised by the whims of the powerful. Wetlands, nature's gift to humanity, are being depleted at an alarming rate, leaving behind a trail of destruction and devastation. Forest reserves, once pristine and untouched, are being sold to the highest bidder, their beauty and biodiversity lost forever.😭😭

Meanwhile, slums mushroom, breeding grounds for poverty, disease, and despair. The citizens, once law-abiding and respectful, have taken it upon themselves to rewrite the rules, disregarding the carefully laid plans and regulations.😭😭

Mr. President, we call upon you to intervene in this madness. We implore you to take a closer look at the state of physical planning in Uganda and take decisive action to restore order. The future of our nation depends on it.❤️

Let us not forget, Mr. President, that a nation that fails to plan is a nation that plans to fail. We cannot afford to fail. Uganda deserves better.👍
So, we ask, where are the watchdogs of physical planning? Where are the guardians of our environment? Have they all gone on long holidays, leaving the citizens to fend for themselves?😭😭

The answer, Mr. President, lies in your hands, because all other parties have crossed their hands, looking at the catastrophe eating us.👍👍

Lubadde Rahim
Physical Planner
Email: [email protected]

17/04/2025

*The Tale of a Troubled City: A Metaphorical Narration*

In the bustling city of Kapkirow, Uganda, a group of dedicated physical planners worked tirelessly to create a better future for its residents. Led by the determined and passionate Planner Rahim, the team spent countless hours designing and implementing plans to improve the city's infrastructure, transportation, and public spaces.

However, their efforts were constantly thwarted by the city's politicians. These powerful individuals, more concerned with maintaining their own power and influence, would often override the planners' decisions and impose their own, ill-conceived projects.

One day, Planner Rahim and his team had finally completed a comprehensive plan to revamp the city's chaotic transportation system. They had carefully studied the traffic patterns, consulted with residents, and designed an efficient and sustainable solution.

But just as they were about to present their plan to the city council, the politicians intervened. They dismissed the planners' work, citing "more pressing concerns" and instead, announced their own plan to build a lavish new highway that would benefit only a select few.

Planner Rahim and his team were devastated. They knew that the politicians' plan would only exacerbate the city's traffic woes and line the pockets of corrupt officials.

Determined to fight for their vision, the planners decided to take a stand. They organized a public campaign, rallying residents and local businesses to support their comprehensive plan.

As the debate raged on, Planner Rahim and his team faced intense intimidation from the politicians. They received threatening phone calls, were excluded from key meetings, and even faced accusations of being "anti-development."

But the planners refused to back down. They continued to advocate for their plan, using social media, local newspapers, and community events to spread their message.

Slowly but surely, the tide began to turn. Residents, tired of the politicians' broken promises and self-serving projects, began to rally behind the planners. Local businesses, seeing the potential for growth and investment, also threw their support behind the comprehensive plan.

Finally, after months of struggle, the city council was forced to reconsider the planners' proposal. In a historic vote, they approved the comprehensive plan, paving the way for a more sustainable, efficient, and equitable city.

Planner Rahim and his team were overjoyed. They had fought against overwhelming odds and emerged victorious. But they knew that their work was far from over.

To ensure the success of their plan, they called on the government to provide adequate funding and resources. They argued that physical planners, like themselves, needed to be empowered and supported, rather than intimidated and marginalized.

As the city began to transform, Planner Rahim's message resonated across Uganda. Politicians, take heed: it's time to stop intimidating physical planners and start supporting them. The future of our cities depends on it.

LUBADDE RAHIM
Metaphorical Narration
The writer is a physical planner
[email protected]
2025

09/04/2025

The Struggle of Kampala: A City Overwhelmed

Kampala, the bustling capital of Uganda, is a city of contrasts. On one hand, it is a hub of economic activity, with a thriving business district and a vibrant cultural scene. On the other hand, it is a city struggling to cope with the consequences of rapid urbanization.

At the heart of the problem is the concentration of population and economic activity in the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). The city's central business district, located in the heart of Kampala, is the epicenter of economic activity, attracting thousands of people from all over the country.

The result is a city overwhelmed by traffic congestion, high land values, and a proliferation of slums and informal settlements. The streets are choked with boda bodas, motorcycles that serve as a primary mode of transportation for many residents.

For many Ugandans, the allure of Kampala is irresistible. The city promises opportunities for economic advancement, education, and a better life. However, the reality is often harsh. The cost of living in Kampala is high, and many residents struggle to make ends meet.

The city's infrastructure is also struggling to keep pace with the rapid growth. Roads are congested, public transportation is inadequate, and services such as healthcare and education are overstretched.

To address these challenges, there is a growing recognition of the need to disperse economic growth to other regions of the country. By creating economic opportunities in other parts of Uganda, it may be possible to reduce the pressure on Kampala and promote more balanced development.

This is not a simple task, however. It will require significant investment in infrastructure, education, and training, as well as policies and programs to support entrepreneurship and innovation.

Despite the challenges, there is reason to be optimistic. Uganda has a young and dynamic population, and a growing economy. With the right policies and investments, it is possible to create a more sustainable and equitable future for all Ugandans.

The question is, can Kampala be transformed into a city that is more livable, more sustainable, and more equitable for all its residents? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the future of Kampala is inextricably linked to the future of Uganda.

The writer is a physical planner
[email protected]

01/03/2025

08/02/2025

The Silent Enablers!!

At the heart of this chaos were fake brokers, masquerading as legitimate surveyors and developers. They would subdivide plots without regard for zoning regulations, environmental concerns, or community impact.

But despite the widespread outrage, the government remained eerily silent. No warnings, no statements, no condemnation of the fake brokers and their illicit activities.

For people like Hadijah, a mother of four, the government's inaction was devastating. Her family's home, once a peaceful haven, was now surrounded by makeshift dwellings, with no regard for safety or sanitation.

"We've written to the authorities, we've protested, we've begged for help," Hadijah said, tears streaming down her face. "But the government just turns a blind eye. It's like they're enabling these fake brokers to destroy our communities."

The media tried to raise awareness about the issue, but their efforts were met with silence from the government. It was as if the authorities were more interested in protecting the interests of the fake brokers than in serving the people.

Legitimate developers and surveyors were also feeling the pinch. They were being pushed out by the fake brokers, who undercut prices and disregarded regulations.

"We're losing our livelihoods to these charlatans," said Abdul, a licensed surveyor. "And the government's silence is deafening. Don't they care about the impact on our communities, on our economy, on our very way of life?"

As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, the people of Kampala began to lose hope. Would the government ever take action against the fake brokers and their illegal slum development?

Or would they continue to turn a blind eye, allowing the chaos and destruction to spread unchecked?

The people deserved answers. They deserved action. But most of all, they deserved a government that would stand up for their rights, and protect their communities from those who sought to harm them.

Lubadde Rahim
The writer

07/02/2025

Please the small.plots subdivision, buying and selling is too much.. Slums everywhere

01/02/2025

Part 2: The little Girl's Dream

As the years passed, Nalwanga became a respected leader in her community. She continued to advocate for sustainable development and worked closely with the new government to ensure that the city's growth was equitable and environmentally conscious.

One day, the government announced plans to establish a new urban planning department, with Nalwanga as its director. She was tasked with overseeing the development of a comprehensive master plan for Kampala.

Nalwanga threw herself into the work, assembling a team of experts and engaging with communities across the city. Together, they crafted a vision for a Kampala that was green, resilient, and just.

But not everyone was pleased with the new direction. Powerful interests, including corrupt developers and politicians, began to push back against the reforms.

Nalwanga faced intense pressure, but she refused to back down. She rallied her team and the community, and together they fought to protect the integrity of the master plan.

As the battle for Kampala's future reached its climax, Nalwanga received an unexpected visit from Ssekandi, the wise old man who had inspired her as a young girl.

"I'm proud of you, Nalwanga," he said, his eyes shining with tears. "You've never lost sight of your dream. Now, it's time to take the final step."

The writer is a passionate physical planner
Lubadde Rahim

Urban plannning.

Wait for part three....

01/02/2025

*Sarcasm writing in Planning!! Uganda*

Once upon a time, in the bustling streets of Kampala, there lived a passionate and driven individual named Kofi. Kofi was a urban planner, determined to transform Uganda's cities into thriving, modern metropolises.

Kofi spent countless hours designing innovative infrastructure projects, attending community meetings, and collaborating with government officials. He was convinced that with his expertise and dedication, he could single-handedly revolutionize Uganda's urban landscape.

One day, while Kofi was busy constructing a scale model of his dream city, his friend, a wise-cracking taxi driver named Kabuye, strolled into the room.

Kabuye chuckled at Kofi's elaborate model and said, "Eh, my friend, you're serious alone, aren't you?"

Kofi looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Kabuye replied, "In Uganda, people don't care about proper development. They're too busy making ends meet, or finding shortcuts to get rich quick. You're wasting your time, my friend."

Kofi refused to give up. He continued to advocate for his vision, but every door he knocked on seemed to lead to a brick wall.

One day, while Kofi was presenting his plans to a group of government officials, one of them dozed off, another started texting, and the rest seemed more interested in the catering than the presentation.

Kofi threw up his hands in frustration. "Don't you people care about the future of our cities?"

The officials looked at him, bewildered, and one of them replied, "Future? Ha! We're too busy surviving the present."

Kofi realized that Kabuye had been right all along. In Uganda, he was indeed serious alone.

As Kofi packed up his things and headed home, Kabuye pulled up in his taxi and said with a grin, "I told you, my friend. You're serious alone. But hey, don't worry, I'll give you a ride... to the next town, where maybe, just maybe, someone will listen."

And so, Kofi and Kabuye drove off into the sunset, laughing and joking, but deep down, Kofi knew that he would continue to fight for his vision, even if it meant being serious alone.

Lubadde Rahim
[email protected]
The writer is a physical planner