MP urges govt to mediate Tororo saga

Jun 23, 2009

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati has asked the Government to intervene in the dispute over the split of Tororo distinct.

By Anthony Bugembe

Ndorwa West MP David Bahati has asked the Government to intervene in the dispute over the split of Tororo distinct.

“The situation has reached a point where the Government must hold dialogue with leaders from both sides,” Bahati said.

Appearing on a Vision Voice radio programme on Thursday, Bahati said the situation had been complicated by ethnicity.

The wrangle follows the Cabinet pronouncement last month that Tororo district would be split into Kisoko out of West Budama and Mukujju from Tororo county.

Some leaders like Tororo county MP Geofrey Ekanya supported the split, while others like West Budama MP William Okecho were against it.

The Jopadhola have already petitioned Parliament to stop the proposed split.

Mukujju is mainly occupied by the Iteso, while Kisoko is occupied by the Jopadhola.

The Jopadhola argue that dividing Tororo would make them lose their identity.

Tororo RDC Mpimbaza Hashaka blamed the tension on area leaders.

“They are inciting the people with statements like ‘the district is going’. These leaders should guide the people so that we can have a win-win situation,” Hashaka said.
Ekanya said the split would take resources closer to the people of Tororo county.

“The demand for a district started 12 years ago because of marginalisation,” Ekanya said, adding that of the 94km of road to be taken over by the Government, only 4km were in West Budama.

Lira Municipality MP James Akena said the creation of new districts was a distraction to benefit the National Resistance Movement.

“People are complaining about services not being delivered and not bringing them closer. The capacity to deliver the services is lacking,” Akena said.

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