Aspirants in limbo as Tororo’s administrative overhaul stalls

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Political uncertainty looms over Tororo district following delays in the formalisation of three proposed new districts and the elevation of Tororo Municipality to city status, leaving several political hopefuls in limbo.

President Yoweri Museveni’s announcement in April was met with jubilation and a flurry of political realignments, as candidates redirected their campaigns to match the new administrative units.

However, the absence of official action has since stranded many aspirants, who are now unsure where to focus their efforts. This comes as the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), to which most of them subscribe, opened the process for picking interest forms for various political offices nationwide on June 2, 2025.

The proposed districts include Mukuju, Mulanda, and an unnamed district covering greater West Budama North.

The upgrade of Tororo Municipality to city status has also resulted in the creation of several new constituencies. This has triggered significant shifts in candidacy. Former Ugandan High Commissioner to Kenya, Phibby Awere Otaala, abandoned the Tororo Woman MP race to pursue a position within the new city.

Likewise, Deogratious Emojong, who recently defected from the National Unity Platform to the NRM, redirected his bid from Tororo Municipality MP to Tororo City East MP. The current Tororo Municipality MP, Apollo Yeri Ofwono, is now contesting for Tororo City West MP, while radio host Benard Ocheing is campaigning for the Tororo city mayoral seat.

In Mukuju, former Tororo County North MP Annet Nyaketcho, who had planned to reclaim her seat from Geoffrey Ekanya, shifted her focus to the Mukuju Woman MP race. Rodgers Peter Imailuk, initially in the running for Tororo County South, is now vying for the Mukuju LCV chairmanship.

In the proposed Mulanda district, Paul Mich, who was challenging John Okea for Tororo district chairperson, scaled down his campaign to focus on Mulanda, while Tororo district speaker, Betty Cheria Andera, has launched her bid for Mulanda Woman MP.

This reshuffling has been upended by the government's failure to formalise the proposed changes. Aspirants who have invested time and resources into campaigning in these yet-to-be-created constituencies now find themselves in an uncertain position.

A delegation of affected aspirants, including Nyaketcho and Imailuk, visited the NRM Secretariat to express their dissatisfaction over the delay.

Nyaketcho voiced her frustration: "We, the people of Tororo, came here to petition Dr Tanga Odoi and the NRM party because the president recently called us to State House, where he consented to the division of the district. Candidates relocated to contest in these areas, leaving their previous positions.

For example, I was contesting in Tororo County North as MP but shifted to campaign for my candidacy to Woman MP Mukuju district…where should I submit them? The minister’s process isn’t yet established, leaving us uncertain. We feel we are being treated unfairly and are running out of time."

Imailuk, on her part, said, "I'm running for chairman in Mukuju district and I am prepared, but don't know where to begin."

NRM electoral commission chairman, Dr Tanga Odoi, acknowledged the candidates' concerns but referred the matter to the Ministry of Local Government.

"These individuals are here to obtain expression of interest forms, yes, but I will need to address their concerns with the Minister of Local Government by calling him immediately," he stated.

The delay has left the candidates—and many others—facing an uncertain political future. It underscores the administrative challenges and lack of clarity surrounding the creation of the new districts and city in Tororo.

This situation highlights the urgent need for government intervention to formalise the process and provide clear guidance to those affected.