By Frank Mugabi

President Yoweri Museveni has promised to resolve the conflict that has delayed the Maracha/Terego district take-off. “I had not taken time to understand the conflict but I want to assure you that in the next two months, we shall resolve this impasse,” Museveni said.

He was addressing a rally at Nyadri trading centre in Maracha county on Monday. Residents of Terego and Maracha have failed to agree on the location and name of the new district that was curved out of Arua in 2005.

Whereas Maracha residents want the headquarters established at Nyadri, those from Terego want it at Kubala.

Last year, local government minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire declared Nyadri the headquarters and the Terego MP, Kassiano Wadri, petitioned the court over his decision.

Besides, Wadri and his Maracha counterpart, Alex Onzima, and their electorate are divided over the issue. During the rally, Onzima blamed Wadri for fuelling the crisis, saying Otafiire had resolved the wrangle.

He added that Otafiire acted after consulting the President, therefore, Wadri was wrong to challenge the minister’s decision. “The law states that whoever challenges a presidential proclamation or decision, commits an offence of insubordination.”

Both Onzima and Wadri are members of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party headed by Kizza Besigye.

Onzima said FDC’s failure to pronounce itself on the matter was a “blank cheque” to the NRM.

“On February 26 and 28, Wadri brought Besigye to Maracha and Terego. What solution did he give us? If they (FDC) cannot solve constituency matters, how will they handle national problems?” he asked.

He described Museveni, the NRM leader, as a renowned and sharp political analyst.

According to Onzima, Museveni will take advantage of FDC’s weakness to strengthen his party in the two counties. He said he was highlighting the issues that could be exploited by the Government to promote NRM in West Nile.