25 new disticts' plan in offing

By Mary Karugaba & Henry Sekanjako

The Government is still carrying out consultations over the creation of 25 new districts.

Local government minister Adolf Mwesige told the NRM caucus at Kyankwanzi that the Executive is still consulting with the parliamentary committee on local government on whether the areas should be granted the district status.

“There are criterion that need to be followed for an area to be granted a district status. We are still consulting whether the proposed areas meet these standards,” NRM caucus spokesperson Evelyn Anite quoted Mwesige as having said.

Mwesige was briefing the legislators on the progress made in the local government sector, especially the new proposed districts.

The MPs questioned the criteria upon which some areas were given district status and others not, yet they are in the same condition.

In July, the Government tabled, before Parliament, a motion to create 25 new districts across the country.

The districts were to be created in four phases. If Parliament approves the motion, the total number of districts will increase from 112 to 137.

Nine of the proposed new districts, including Omoro, Namisindwa, Pakwach, Butebo, Rukiga, Rubanda, Kyotera, Kagadi and Kakumiro, had been scheduled to become districts effective July,1 2013. However, to date, they have not been granted the status.

The districts of Kyadondo, Nabilatuk, Bugweri, Kwania, Kasanda, Bunyangabu and Kapelebyong were to commence in July 2014.

Obongi, Kazo, Rwampara, Kitagwenda, Kikuube, Madi-Okollo and Kihiihi districts are scheduled to start operations in July 2015.