After district split, Tororo seeks unity in a time of jubilation

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Tororo district is celebrating the creation of new administrative units, a move approved by President Yoweri Museveni on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

The formation of Mukuju district (covering Tororo County North and South), Mulanda district (covering West Budama South and Central), and an unnamed district (covering West Budama North and North East), along with the elevation of Tororo Municipality to city status, has ignited widespread celebrations and a reshuffling of the political landscape.

However, amidst the jubilation, a crucial effort towards unity is underway. On Sunday, April 27, 2025, NRM electoral commission chairperson Tanga Odoi convened a meeting of political leaders from West Budama and Tororo County constituencies at his Koi village home in Kisoko subcounty with the aim of bridging the long-standing tribal divides that have hindered service delivery in the district.

Odoi stressed the importance of prioritising development in the new districts, urging leaders to avoid further conflicts.

"The action we take now will either make our population smile or shed tears for more years, adding to the decades they have suffered because of the impasses we have been stupidly undergoing for not understanding ourselves. Let’s now focus on how we care for the new babies (administrative units) given to us by the President to grow and mature again," he stated.

The NRM electoral commission boss also outlined plans for wider reconciliation, including most district leaders previously involved in the decades-long tribal conflict, with the only notable exception being Tororo Woman MP Sarah Achieng Opendi, whom he described as "disrespectful and anti-development in Bukedi."

"My people, if throughout the period of our engagement over the district division I faulted you, I am saying sorry and let us come back together again like we were in greater Tororo, which stretched from Majanji in the current Busia district to Gogonyo in the current Pallisa district. But for the Woman MP, you will forgive me; I have got nothing to sit and discuss with somebody who feels fighting every person is a developmental alternative," he declared.

Tororo district chairperson John Okea praised Odoi’s peace-making efforts, encouraging his colleagues to embrace the changes.

"Like Dr Tanga has said, whether you're now going to which district, we should remain as one people of the greater Tororo district. Let’s contact each other for advice and support, which will ensure smooth and holistic growth for all of us," he stressed.

Jimmy Aliya Apumeri, alias Trump, a former Tororo County Councillors’ Caucus chairperson and a prominent figure during past tribal conflicts, echoed the call for unity, highlighting the interconnectedness of the communities.

"Some of us, our mothers are from here in West Budama, the same as you people. There are several Iteso settled in West Budama, like the Jopadhola's also in Tororo County, so let’s call this war over and we coexist as brothers, not again tempted to keep hate that will keep us hostage and fail to move forward."

He also emphasised the crucial role of influential figures like Odoi in securing resources for the new districts and the impoverished Bukedi sub-region.

Resident district commissioner Sadiq Bakale Bategana commended Odoi’s swift response, advocating for unity in diversity in line with resolutions from the President’s meeting with the Tororo delegation at State House Entebbe, last week.

"From one, Tororo has now given birth to quadruplets, so let’s be thankful to the President and everyone who contributed to these achievements. But remember, unity should be the core principle of our existence in the new districts we are going to. Don’t reach there and start looking at your neighbours as enemies, but as colleagues to support our growth and development."

The reconciliation event also served as a platform for political aspirants to declare their intentions ahead of the upcoming election year.

Several individuals announced their candidacies for various positions. Notably, Ambassador Phibby Awere, formerly Uganda’s high commissioner to Kenya, declared her interest in the Tororo City Woman MP seat; assistant RDC Aidah Kigeni announced her intention to contest for the unnamed district's woman MP seat, alongside councillors Molly Anyeko and Lilian Athieno, and former Tororo Woman MP aspirant Rose Mary Abbo.

For the Mulanda district woman MP seat, Tororo district speaker Andera Betty Cheria expressed interest in facing off with Ngora deputy RDC Jascinta Ayoo.

In Mukuju district, current Tororo district vice chairperson Rebecca Akumu and former MP for Tororo County North, Annet Nyaketcho, expressed their interests.

For LC5 and city mayor positions, current district chairperson John Okea has expressed interest in the city mayoral seat, while councillors Nicholas Ofwono, Douglas Kapisi, and Edie Obella will face off with Gerald Obbo Wandera and Oketcho Soye in the unnamed district. 

In Mulanda, Paul Mich is currently the only candidate to have declared interest, while in Mukuju, Fred Emojong and John Emuriat, both from the FDC, will vie for the seat alongside Godfrey Othieno, former Tororo County North parliamentary aspirant on the NRM ticket.

Dr Emmanuel Otaala Otiam, the West Budama South MP, is also eyeing the position of NRM district chairperson for Mulanda, while retaining his parliamentary seat.

The NRM electoral commission chairperson, however, cautioned the aspirants to await official confirmation of the district split from Cabinet and Parliament before commencing their campaigns.

"It's interesting to note that your expressions of interest now will give me work as the NRM Electoral Commission, but let us wait to hear what comes out of Cabinet tomorrow (Monday) and also the processes thereafter before you start throwing your weight before the already awaiting voters," he cautioned.

The event concluded with the leaders’ unanimous endorsement of President Museveni as the sole candidate for the 2026 presidential elections, shouting their support.

"Because of the peace you have brought to Tororo with the creation of new administrative units, we assure overwhelming support in the forthcoming polls."

The reconciliation meeting was also attended by cultural leaders, notably James Etutuket, one of the ministers of the Iteso Cultural Union, and Ochwo Damba, speaker of the general assembly of the Tieng Adhola Cultural Institution, who represented their royal highnesses Emorimor and Kwar Adhola, respectively.