Bushenyi seeks to transform public assets into economic ventures

BUSHENYI - Bushenyi District Council says it is seeking to transform identified public assets into viable economic ventures that can stimulate development, create jobs, and improve livelihoods within the district under the Local Economic Development (LED) policy.

Bushenyi chief administrative officer (CAO) Sanyu Phionah says the district is currently drafting documents that will be submitted to relevant ministries for scrutiny and endorsement before the district engages the public for final implementation.

She made the remarks during a stakeholders' engagement meeting on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the district headquarters.

The meeting focused on the implementation of LED policy, as well as how local governments can collaborate with the private sector and communities under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to drive economic growth.

Bushenyi district chairperson Jaffari Bassajjabalaba lauded the move, saying it aligns well with the local government ministry’s decentralisation approach, which mandates district leadership, technical teams and stakeholders to identify opportunities that can boost local revenue generation.

“As a district, we want to fully engage our community in this LED programme, especially in areas like tourism, hospitality and recreational centres so we can work together to spur local resource mobilisation and wealth creation,” Bassajjabalaba said.

The local government ministry (MoLG) is implementing the LED policy nationwide to promote a vibrant, private sector-led local economy aimed at reducing poverty, creating wealth and improving prosperity.

The policy, introduced in 2014, encourages partnerships between local governments, the private sector and communities to effectively mobilise and invest resources in development ventures that benefit local populations.

The LED approach represents a bottom-up economic strategy that empowers local governments to take the lead in initiating and managing development projects. The MoLG’s role is to guide, harmonise, mentor and advocate for local governments to ensure successful implementation of the policy and achieve socio-economic transformation across the country.

Stakeholder collaboration is key

Western Ankole Civil Society Forum (WACSOF) chief executive officer Apollo Lee Kakonge emphasised the importance of stakeholder collaboration in ensuring the success of the policy.

“There is a need for the district leadership and stakeholders to fully embrace and implement LED projects under the PPP model to enhance local revenue generation, develop tourism, and improve infrastructure,” Kakonge said.

He added that the implementation of LED would also significantly improve service delivery across the district. 

“With increased local revenue, we can improve roads, health facilities and other essential public services that directly benefit our communities,” he said.

Bushenyi district has already identified several priority projects under the LED framework, including upgrading Kizinda Market into a modern market facility; transforming Bushenyi playground into a multipurpose stadium; redeveloping district houses and plantations into modern apartments; converting the district multipurpose hall into a recreational centre; turning the district parking yard into a shopping mall; commercialising Ruhandagazi fish farm into a fish fly centre; and developing the Nshumi PDA land in Kyamuhunga into a market.

District leaders are optimistic that with successful implementation of these projects, Bushenyi will see increased local revenue, job creation, and improved service delivery, setting a precedent for effective local economic transformation.

“By transforming our local assets into economic ventures, we aim to stimulate development, create jobs, and enhance the livelihoods of our community members,” Sanyu concluded.