Entebbe, Uganda: President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last week proposed a breakthrough administrative restructuring that will see Tororo Municipality elevated to city status and three new districts created in a bid to end decades of bitter ethnic rivalry between the Japadhola and Iteso communities in Tororo District.
The development came during a high-level meeting convened by the President on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at State House, Entebbe, where leaders from the two rival ethnic groups sought a permanent resolution to the long-standing dispute over control of Tororo Town.
“We have agreed on the principle: Tororo becomes a neutral city, and we create three new districts, Mukuju, Mulanda, and a third one whose name should be neutral,” Mr Museveni announced.
He directed that while the Japadhola would receive two new districts (Mulanda and the yet-to-be-named third district), the Iteso would retain Mukuju District and benefit from the new neutral Tororo City. “You don’t have to fight. Discuss among yourselves quietly. But it’s not correct to say you’re going to die over a name,” the President advised.
Museveni emphasized that the fight over the name “Tororo” was unnecessary, calling on both groups to prioritize service delivery and development over territorial pride. “Let us not allow the name of a place to become more important than the well-being of our people,” he cautioned.
Drawing from biblical teachings and Uganda’s decentralization history, Museveni criticized the ethnic tensions that have stalled development in Tororo, saying that creating smaller administrative units is aimed at bringing services closer to the people.
“You people are wasting time. What’s crucial is bringing services nearer to the people. That’s the reason we broke up larger districts like Bukedi to create smaller, more accessible units,” he noted.
The President likened the situation to the division of Mbale, where both Mbale District and Mbale City coexist, proposing a similar model for Tororo.
Structure of the New Administrative Units
Vice President Jessica Alupo, who was also part of the meeting, presented a detailed compromise plan following prior consultations with community representatives on April 22, 2025.
Key highlights of the plan include:
- Tororo Municipality to be elevated to Tororo City, formed from the current Tororo North and South constituencies.
- Mukuju District to be carved out for the Iteso community.
- Mulanda District is to be created, covering areas from Budama Central and Budama South constituencies.
- A third district to be established in the eastern part of Tororo, with a mutually agreed neutral name.
- Kwapa Town Council and Nagongera Town Council to be elevated to municipality status.
VP Alupo commended both groups for embracing dialogue and peaceful negotiation. “The two communities have finally come to a shared understanding aimed at promoting peace, equity, and service delivery,” she said.
President Museveni encouraged all parties to finalize discussions on naming and boundaries, urging them to communicate the final decisions through the Vice President’s office. “At least now you are beginning to be balanced. Finally, the Bateso have said, ‘Let’s be mutual instead of fighting over Tororo.’ That’s progress,” he said.
Leaders React
The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, praised the Vice President for her leadership during the delicate negotiations. “Thank you, Vice President, for your leadership. Yesterday, both sides met her and gave their stand, and today we celebrate progress,” Hon. Oboth stated.
Cultural leaders, including His Royal Highness Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor of the Japadhola and Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot of the Iteso, attended the meeting alongside religious leaders, local government officials, and NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi.
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