MPs for Pallisa split

A GROUP of politicians and elders in Pallisa district have asked that their district be split into two, reports Jonathan Angura. The group under Pallisa-Butebo Development Forum chaired by the district LC5 vice-chairman, Mr. Albert Ogwari, said in a petition to the local government minister that the split would offer a solution to the service delivery and power sharing imbalance in the four counties of the district. The petition signed by 32 members of the forum’s executive committee, recommended that Pallisa and Butebo counties be retained as Pallisa district while Budaka and Kibuku counties form the new Bugwere district. A September 20 memorandum to the minister stated, “Pallisa and Butebo counties have not realised effective service delivery because of inequitable power sharing. With regard to resource allocation in the area, there is monopoly of administrative power perpetuated in Budaka and Kibuku counties.” It concluded, “There is urgent need for reorganising and streamlining the activities in the district to improve the quality of life of the people which is the central theme of the President’s manifesto and development.” The district chairman, Dr. Laban Kirya, however, rubbished the move saying the district was small and dividing it would not be economically viable. “This is a fallacy not based on rationality but it is a move for some people to get positions. My stand is that Pallisa is too small and economically poor to be divided,” Kirya said. He, however, advised those advocating the split to follow the laid down procedures according to the Local Government Act. “The district council is the one to consider the matter but it seems it is a fashion that each person wants his county to become a district,” Kirya said. The Pallisa county MP, Mr. Louis Opange, said he supported the idea.