MPs clash over Maracha-Terego district
Nov 20, 2009
MPs on Wednesday clashed over the location of the district headquarters for Marach–Terego that was carved out of Arua in 2005.
By Catherine Bekunda
and Madinah Tebajjukira
MPs on Wednesday clashed over the location of the district headquarters for Marach–Terego that was carved out of Arua in 2005.
Appearing before the parliamentary local government and public service committee, Maracha MP Alex Onzima (FDC) said there was need to declare his county an independent district with its headquarters at Nyadri.
Onzima suggested that Terego should be reverted to Arua, which is their mother district.
Previously, Terego residents wanted the headquarters established at Kubala trading centre but former local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, declared Nyadri as the new headquarters.
However, Terego MP Kassiano Wadri (FDC) took the matter to court and secured an injunction, blocking the establishment of the headquarters.
In the same meeting, Wadri suggested that each county be declared a district to avoid the wrangles and to bring services nearer to the people.
“The High Court ruled that the minister erred in naming Nyadri as the headquarters and so this ruling should be respected,†Wadri said. The district was supposed to be operational by July 2006.
According to a map presented by the Arua Woman MP, Christine Bako (FDC), the nearest person from Terego would have travel 50km to Nyadri, the proposed district headquarters.
“This will be a disservice to the people of Terego because of the long distance. Or let the status quo be maintained,†she said.
Wadri’s legal counsel, Caleb Alaka, opposed the suggestion of reverting Terego to Arua, noting that it would be unconstitutional and the Government would face many legal battles.
and Madinah Tebajjukira
MPs on Wednesday clashed over the location of the district headquarters for Marach–Terego that was carved out of Arua in 2005.
Appearing before the parliamentary local government and public service committee, Maracha MP Alex Onzima (FDC) said there was need to declare his county an independent district with its headquarters at Nyadri.
Onzima suggested that Terego should be reverted to Arua, which is their mother district.
Previously, Terego residents wanted the headquarters established at Kubala trading centre but former local government minister, Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, declared Nyadri as the new headquarters.
However, Terego MP Kassiano Wadri (FDC) took the matter to court and secured an injunction, blocking the establishment of the headquarters.
In the same meeting, Wadri suggested that each county be declared a district to avoid the wrangles and to bring services nearer to the people.
“The High Court ruled that the minister erred in naming Nyadri as the headquarters and so this ruling should be respected,†Wadri said. The district was supposed to be operational by July 2006.
According to a map presented by the Arua Woman MP, Christine Bako (FDC), the nearest person from Terego would have travel 50km to Nyadri, the proposed district headquarters.
“This will be a disservice to the people of Terego because of the long distance. Or let the status quo be maintained,†she said.
Wadri’s legal counsel, Caleb Alaka, opposed the suggestion of reverting Terego to Arua, noting that it would be unconstitutional and the Government would face many legal battles.