Kibale residents still in jubilation over their stay in Pallisa

Bodaboda cyclists getting fuel for Kibale celebrations. Photo by Lawrence Okwakol

People in Kibale County in Pallisa district on Sunday entered the fifth day of continued jubilation since Parliament kept them in Pallisa in favour of their long-awaited wish.

Albert Opatana of okaalei, Opwateta sub-county said the ruling by Speaker Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga fulfilled John Michael Okurut, the Pallisa district chairperson's wish.

Okurut had vowed during the NRM celebrations on January 26 at Kamuge High School that if Kibale goes to Butebo, he would undress in public.

"We are going to resolve as council to commemorate December 13, every year as our day of liberation," George Olupot the LC3 chairperson of Kibale sub-county said.

Simon Ocheng of Omukulai, Kibale sub-county said even President Yoweri Museveni understood their difference with Butebo when they boycotted the 2013 by-elections after the demise of Dr Stephen  Oscar Malinga the then Member of Parliament for Butebo County.

"We were given our county of two sub-counties because of the reasons which we submitted to the listening government of NRM. I am quite impressed our doubts have been put to rest," Ocheng said.

Okurut said when they followed people's demand to remain in Pallisa district as leaders; some selfish individuals mistook them to be pushing the retention of Kibale on political calculations.

"It would be outrageous for the people of Kibale to be left in marginalisation when the law is clear that people should be governed according to their wishes," Okurut said.

However, Yusuf Menkere, the councillor for Olok sub-county in Pallisa sistrict who has been behind the exclusion of Kibale from Pallisa district said Kadaga's ruling on the matter was based on personal feelings and not the law.

Menkere said the Kadaga's decision diminishes the functions of lower local government and if any individual or group of persons has interested in her ruling it can be challenged.

"I am shocked that some people from Kibale are jubilating forgetting that their service delivery, especially road works would be better in Butebo. How do you celebrate for leaving five sub-counties with all the amenities and come to get squeezed in 14 sub-counties with large road network," Menkere said.

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