Timothy Chemonges, the Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), has cautioned that the continued creation of new districts in Uganda undermines rational planning and imposes an unsustainable burden on the national budget.
Chemonges noted that the recent decision by the NRM Caucus to split Tororo District into four units and divide Bundibugyo further reflects a growing preference for political expediency over sound planning.
“Every new district comes with a full bureaucracy, Resident District Commissioners, Chief Administrative Officers, technical staff, and Members of Parliament. This expands the recurrent wage bill at a time when the government is already struggling with debt servicing, revenue mobilization, and underfunded service sectors,” Chemonges said.
He further warned that Uganda’s experience with newly created cities, many of which remain underfunded and non-operational, highlights the risks of expanding administrative units without adequate planning, financing, or institutional readiness.
According to him, the current trend is more about multiplying political positions than enhancing service delivery.
“The democratic implications are equally concerning. Uganda’s Parliament is already one of the largest in Africa. Adding more MPs risks eroding public trust by reinforcing the perception that governance is about creating political opportunities rather than serving citizens,” he added.
Chemonges urged the government to halt the creation of new districts and instead focus on strengthening existing ones with adequate resources to improve service delivery and restore public confidence.
However, the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, defended the move, saying the splits are intended to address deep-rooted ethnic and identity tensions.
He explained that the establishment of Tororo City and additional districts would help mend strained relations between the Itesot and Japadhola communities.
“Tororo City will serve as a shared headquarters for the two communities and ease the long-standing rift between them,” Magyezi said.
On Bundibugyo, the minister cited conflicts among the Bakonzo, Bamba, and Buisi communities, particularly in Bughendera County, which he said have sometimes turned violent, resulting in deaths.
“The split will help reduce such tensions by giving communities administrative autonomy,” he argued.
