Published on 13/09/2025
Parliamentarians of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have endorsed a proposal to split Tororo District into three new districts and elevate Tororo Municipality into a city.
The caucus also supported the creation of Bughendera District out of Bundibugyo, citing the need to improve service delivery and resolve long-standing ethnic tensions in both regions.
The resolutions were revealed by Hamson Obua, Government Chief Whip, while addressing journalists at Parliament on 12th September 2025. He said the decision followed an meeting earlier in the day at State House, Entebbe.
Obua explained, “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 financial year 2025/2026, subject to the law. We also agreed to support the creation of Bughendera District out of Bundibugyo District in the same financial year, and to handle other districts, cities and municipalities subsequently in the period 2026–2031.”
Timing of New Units
The announcement raised questions from journalists on whether the move amounted to gerrymandering, given that the Electoral Commission is already midway through preparations for the 2026 general elections.
But Raphael Magyezi, Minister for Local Government, dismissed those concerns, insisting the decision was driven by service delivery, not political advantage. He pointed to the split of Nakawa constituency, where both new seats were won by the Opposition, as proof that the ruling party does not always benefit.
“Where is the gerrymandering in that? When we split Nakawa, both constituencies were taken by Opposition MPs. We are doing this purely for service delivery, peace and security. Once the people express their will through council resolutions, it is my duty as Minister to study and present it to Cabinet, then to Parliament. That process is lawful,” Magyezi argued.
Cost and Implementation
On the financial implications, Magyezi revealed that the Ministry would require about UGX 26 billion to operationalize the new units. He urged Ugandans not to focus solely on the cost but also on the benefits of decentralization.
“Yes, there is a financial burden, but there is also a benefit. Uganda’s population is growing rapidly, and urbanization is at 5.3% annually, the fastest rate in Africa. People want services closer to them, and that’s what we are addressing,” he said.
Magyezi added that while Parliament may pass the resolutions, it would be up to the Electoral Commission and Attorney General Kiwanuka Kiryowa to determine when elections for the new constituencies would be held.
“The law provides that a district created after a general election takes effect six months before the next one. That is why we are talking about deeming them created in July 2025, but it is the Electoral Commission and Attorney General who will interpret and decide,” he clarified.
More MPs Expected
The creation of the new units will inevitably increase the number of legislators. Currently, Tororo has a Woman MP and a Municipality MP. With the changes, each of the three new districts will get a Woman MP, while Tororo City will have its own Woman MP and two Division MPs.
Government also expressed optimism that the development would end decades-long ethnic conflict between the Iteso and Japadhola communities. Under the arrangement, Tororo City will serve as the headquarters for the three new districts while retaining the cherished name “Tororo.”
Similarly, Bundibugyo’s split was defended on grounds of deep-rooted ethnic divisions in Bughendera County, which have at times turned violent. Magyezi recalled that during past clashes among the Bakonzo, Bamba, and Busi communities, at least three people were killed.
Other Caucus Resolutions
Obua also announced that the caucus passed additional resolutions, including:
- Endorsing President Museveni as NRM National Chairperson and Presidential Candidate for 2026.
- Receiving the audit of the NRM membership register.
- Supporting efforts to clean up Uganda’s electoral process, including fighting the commercialization of politics and electoral malpractices.
“We are committed to removing pollutants like the unregulated use of money, alteration of results, and extortion in elections, while robustly supporting wealth creation among our people,” Obua said.
