Tensions flared in the Tororo District Council chambers today as a proposal to discuss the controversial issue of dividing the district led to heated exchanges and repeated adjournments. The matter, pushed by Paul Eredet, a councillor representing Tororo County, has reopened deep-seated divisions between the Iteso and Japadhola communities.
Eredet argued that the district's vast size and delayed service delivery made the division inevitable and necessary for better governance.
"The district is too large to provide quality service delivery to its population. We have over 40 sub-counties, while some districts in Uganda have as few as seven. This imbalance must be addressed," Eredet asserted.
However, resistance was immediate. A group of Tororo County councillors, led by Peter Langalanga, insisted they needed more time to consult their constituents before engaging in the debate.
"We can have this discussion in the next council meeting. For now, we need to consult our people," Langalanga said.
Adding weight to the opposition, Fred Emojong, representing Kwapa Sub-County, reminded the council of a similar motion passed in 2005 that approved the district's division but was never implemented.
"In 2005, the council voted 20 to 19 in favor of dividing the district. Revisiting this matter without proper authority is misleading," Emojong argued.
As tensions escalated, District Speaker Better Cheria was forced to adjourn the meeting three times before ultimately postponing the discussion to the next sitting. The move received widespread support from Tororo County councillors.
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In a follow-up interview, Eredet remained firm, stressing that the need for efficient service delivery outweighed political sensitivities.
"As a former chairperson for works and technical services, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of managing a district this vast. Dividing Tororo is the only way to ensure equitable development," he emphasized.
Tororo District currently comprises seven constituencies, 30 rural sub-counties, 10 town councils, 180 parishes, and 1,307 villages.
The proposed division has long fueled animosity between the Iteso and Japadhola communities, with both sides accusing each other of marginalization. The issue has been under President Museveni's consideration for years, though he recently deferred it to local leaders for resolution.
With no consensus in sight, the next council meeting is expected to reignite the debate, as both factions remain entrenched in their positions.
