PARLIAMENT on Tuesday evening approved the creation of 10 more districts. The districts are Namayingo, Luuka (Kiyunga), Kiryandongo, Ntoroko, Serere, Alebtong, Gomba, Buvuma, Bulambuli and Kyankwanzi.
Namayingo is being carved out of Bugiri, Luuka out of Iganga, and Kiryandongo out of Masindi.
Ntoroko is created out of Bundibugyo district. Serere was previously part of Soroti, Alebtong was part of Lira, while Gomba belonged to Mpigi.
Buvuma is created out of Mukono, Bulambuli out of Sironko, and Kyankwazi out of Kiboga.
This brings the number of new districts approved to 17; and the total number of districts in Uganda to 97.
Last week, Parliament approved the creation of seven other districts, namely Zombo, Amudat, Otuke, Lamwo, Kyegegwa, Buikwe and Buyende.
The districts were voted on one by one, by show of hands.
Another five more districts are lined up – Kalungu, Maracha, Butambala and two to be carved out of Tororo.
The creation of the five districts has stalled due to disagreements among local leaders and MPs.
The Constitution requires majority support of all MPs when altering the boundary of a district or creating a new one. There are slightly over 300 MPs.
The attendance in Parliament on Tuesday was unusually high. Due to lack of space on the NRM side, members from the ruling party had to sit on the opposition side.
Serere district attracted more support compared to other districts, with 193 members voting in support and two abstaining.
Kasilo MP Okupa Elijah (FDC) said the people of his constituency would be disadvantaged because of the location of the district headquarters.
To address this concern, he proposed that Kasilo be granted a town council status.
Local government minister Adolf Mwesige said under the law, town councils are not created by Parliament.
He, however, promised that the Government would consider the request.
On December 14, Parliament adjourned prematurely after the MPs disagreed over the proposed Maracha district. Prime Minister Apolo Nsibambi asked the House to defer the decision, pending further consultations.
Maracha was originally supposed to be one district with Terego. But local leaders from Maracha and Terego disagreed on the location of the headquarters. It was then agreed to create a separate district for Maracha.
Terego is represented in Parliament by Opposition Chief Whip Kassiano Wadri, while Maracha is represented by Alex Onzima (FDC).
On Tuesday, the issue of Maracha did not surface again in the House.
Parliament on Tuesday also approved the Political Parties and Organisations Amendment Bill.
It provides for the establishment of a forum for all political parties where they can dialogue on issues of common interest.
Parliament approves 10 more districts
