Govt meets Tororo leaders on proposed city and three new districts

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The Ministry of Local Government has held a high-level consultative meeting on the proposed creation of three new districts and one city out of Tororo district.

The meeting, chaired by local government minister Raphael Magyezi at the ministry headquarters on Tuesday, September 16, brought together Members of Parliament from Tororo, the district chairperson, district speaker, resident district commissioner, and LCIII chairpersons from sub-counties and town councils.

The proposal, guided by directives from President Yoweri Museveni and Cabinet, seeks to create Mukuju, Mulanda, and Kisoko districts while elevating Tororo Municipality to city status.

The move is intended to ease long-standing socio-political tensions between the Iteso and Japadhola communities, which have often undermined governance and service delivery in the area.

Magyezi said both political and cultural leaders from Tororo had reached consensus on the split, which he described as a step towards harmony and sustainable development.

He noted that Tororo City would serve as a unifying symbol for both communities, retaining the name “Tororo” as a shared identity.

As the meeting concluded, the minister urged local leaders to consult widely with their communities before final decisions are taken. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Friday in Tororo.

“Let’s subject this to the community before we take the final decision. You are leaders of the people and increasingly respected, but why not listen to the people? Chairpersons at LC1, LC2, and councillors in the 11 sub-counties must be part of this process,” Magyezi emphasised.

The meeting appeared stormy but orderly, with visible disagreements from some MPs from Tororo.

Fox Odoi (West Budama North East, NRM) expressed displeasure, questioning why some cultural institutions were making political decisions on behalf of Members of Parliament regarding Tororo’s district and city status.