Push for Kakoro County highlights concerns over Uganda's expanding political units

During a thanksgiving ceremony for Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Monica Musenero, Butebo District Chairperson James Okurut advocated for the creation of Kakoro County to better serve the district's population and address governance challenges.

Okurut emphasized the district's critical infrastructure needs, including the tarmacking of the 45-kilometer Nakaloke-Akadot road to connect Butebo with Mbale City and the upgrading of the Busia-Oladot road, vital for regional connectivity and access to markets in Kenya.

He also highlighted the district's low electricity coverage, which only reaches 10% of the population, and the scarcity of secondary schools, with only five out of 17 sub-counties having one.

In addition to infrastructure concerns, Okurut called for targeted affirmative action to combat poverty in Bukedi.

He suggested repurposing land currently owned by the Uganda Broadcasting Corporation (UBC) in Butebo for industrialization initiatives, arguing that this would catalyze economic development and create much-needed jobs in the region.

Okurut also noted Butebo's strong performance in the Parish Development Model (PDM), ranking fourth nationally, but he urged a midterm review to ensure the program continues to meet the district’s needs. Notably, Butebo District doubles as a constituency.

In response, President Yoweri Museveni emphasized the need for fiscal prudence and prioritizing impactful projects, warning against the creation of new administrative units that could strain resources further.

“We have to look at the population. We are trying to control the size of the administration so that we don’t spend too much money on administration, but we shall look into the special appeal from our big supporters in Butebo,” Museveni said.

His caution comes amid ongoing debates about Uganda's growing Parliament, which has expanded to over 500 members.

The President pledged to work on the proposed roads over time, pointing to the successful tarmacking of major roads, including the Tirinyi-Palisa-Kumi road, Kamonkoli-Palisa road, and the Iganga-Mbale road, as examples of the government's commitment to regional development.

He noted that these roads are crucial for enhancing connectivity and facilitating trade within the region and beyond.

Museveni also stressed the government's broader strategy for economic empowerment through the Parish Development Model (PDM), underscoring the importance of this initiative in driving economic growth at the grassroots level. “We diverted from roads to PDM to address poverty,” he explained.

The push for new constituencies, such as Kakoro County, raises questions about the motives behind such proposals.

Critics argue that the drive to establish additional constituencies may be more about political maneuvering than genuinely improving the lives of constituents.

Moses Galandi argued that the community would benefit more from factories that create jobs rather than from new constituencies that primarily serve individual interests.

He highlighted the significant gap between the size of Parliament and actual improvements in service delivery, questioning the effectiveness of expanding parliamentary representation.

While the Local Government Act, Cap 243, Section 7(7), empowers local government councils to create constituencies with parliamentary approval, this provision has often been misused for political gain rather than genuine community development.

Originally, counties served as administrative units designed to extend services to communities, but with the repeal of the Local Government Act that removed county councils, these units have largely been reduced to parliamentary slots.

Past experiences, such as the creation of constituencies in the Bugisu sub-region and the elevation of Mbale Municipality to city status, have shown that these political moves do not always result in better services for residents.

Namisindwa District, for example, continues to lack a Health Center IV despite the establishment of an additional constituency.

Similarly, it is reported that Mbale City, despite its new status and expanded administrative structure, has seen a decline in service delivery, leaving residents and leaders frustrated.

Reports suggest that some constituencies are established more as political rewards than for administrative efficiency. For instance, Butiru constituency was reportedly created to honor veteran NRM politician Charles Wlimbwa Peke.

However, Peke lost the new constituency to a younger politician, Godfrey Wakooli, in the 2021 elections. Namisindwa County is also seen as a reward for MP Apollo Masika, another ardent NRM cadre.

This misuse of discretionary power to create new constituencies for political favors undermines the legitimacy of such decisions and the integrity of the leaders who endorse them.

The discrepancy in constituency size and population further undermines the effectiveness and fairness of parliamentary representation. For example, some MPs represent only one to five sub-counties, while others cover nine or more.

This uneven distribution creates inconsistencies in representation and service delivery, challenging the notion of equitable and effective governance.

In light of these concerns, the electorate is urged to critically examine the motives behind the push for new constituencies.

It is essential to question whether these political units are being established to enhance service delivery or simply to reward leaders with additional positions.

Thorough benchmarking is needed to assess the integrity and necessity of such moves, ensuring they align with the broader goal of community development rather than serving narrow political interests.

In a recent incident in Northern Uganda, a community in Apac District chased away their Member of Parliament, Patrick Ocan, after he proposed the creation of a new district.

The residents, frustrated by what they perceived as a political maneuver rather than a genuine effort to improve service delivery, rejected the proposal outright.

They argued that the creation of a new district would not necessarily lead to better services but could instead increase administrative costs and create further divisions within the community.

This incident highlights the growing skepticism among communities about the true intentions behind the creation of new political units.

The rejection of the proposal by the people of Apac serves as a reminder that communities are increasingly aware of the potential downsides of such political moves and are willing to hold their leaders accountable for decisions that may not be in their best interest.

To address social issues effectively, it is crucial to focus on increasing investment in social services, fighting corruption, promoting industrialization, and improving access to capital.

These measures offer more substantial benefits than simply adding another MP, which costs as much as building two health centers over five years. The cost is in terms of organizing elections and emoluments.

Achieving meaningful progress requires adherence to government promises and leveraging the NRM’s grassroots structure.

Prioritizing these areas ensures better outcomes for communities and holds the government accountable for its commitments, rather than relying on political maneuvers.