Lawmakers from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have endorsed a proposal to split Tororo District into three new districts and elevate it to city status, while also approving the creation of Bughendera District from Bundibugyo.
The decision was revealed by Government Chief Whip, Hamson Denis Obua, on September 12, 2025, as he briefed journalists at Parliament on resolutions from the NRM Parliamentary Caucus meeting held earlier at State House Entebbe.
“Having received the report of the Minister of Local Government, the caucus resolved to support the creation of Mukuju District, Mulanda District, Kisoko District and Tororo City in the 2025/2026 financial year, subject to the law. We also resolved to support the creation of Bughendera District out of Bundibugyo District in the same financial year, and to handle other proposed districts, cities and municipalities in the period 2026–2031,” Obua said.
Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi defended the move, dismissing claims that it was politically motivated. He pointed to past cases, such as the split of Nakawa Constituency, where opposition candidates won, as evidence that the government’s focus is service delivery rather than gerrymandering.
“We are doing this for service delivery, for peace, security and administration. When the people express their will through council resolutions, the Constitution obliges us to act,” Magyezi argued.
Magyezi disclosed that operationalising the new administrative units would cost taxpayers about UGX 26 billion. However, he urged Ugandans to view the expenditure as an investment in bringing services closer to the people amid rapid population growth and urbanisation.
“Yes, there is a cost, but there are also advantages. Uganda’s population is growing fast, and citizens demand services closer to them. Once council resolutions are passed and technical studies confirm viability, the proposals move to Cabinet and then Parliament. This is within the law,” he explained.
The minister also clarified that, in line with the Local Government Act and Electoral Commission Act, the Attorney General and Electoral Commission will determine the timing of elections in the new constituencies. Districts created after a general election, he noted, take effect six months prior to the next election.
The creation of Tororo City, three new districts in Tororo, and Bughendera District in Bundibugyo will expand parliamentary representation, with each new administrative unit gaining woman MPs and additional constituency legislators.
The Source Reports.
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