Tororo, Uganda – A decision aimed at enhancing service delivery and addressing longstanding ethnic and administrative challenges, President Yoweri Museveni has approved the creation of three new districts and the elevation of Tororo Municipality to city status, effectively restructuring Greater Tororo. The new districts—Mukuju, Mulanda, and a yet-to-be-named third district—mark a significant step in Uganda’s ongoing decentralization efforts, with implications for governance, economic development, and electoral planning ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The announcement, follows years of debate and tension over Tororo’s administrative structure, particularly between communities in Tororo County and West Budama. The restructuring, informed by the London Report—a framework addressing ethnic and administrative dynamics in the region—divides Greater Tororo into four distinct entities: Tororo City, Mukuju District, Mulanda District, and the unnamed district encompassing West Budama North and North-East. Additionally, Nagongera is set to be elevated to municipality status, further decentralizing governance.
Mukuju District will comprise Tororo County North and South, areas known for their agricultural productivity and cultural significance. Mulanda District will encompass West Budama South and Central, regions with strong potential for agro-processing and rural industrialization due to their fertile lands and connectivity to neighboring districts like Butaleja and Namutumba. The third district, covering West Budama North and North-East, awaits a “neutral” name to avoid reigniting local disputes over nomenclature, with some stakeholders cautioning against retaining the name “Tororo” to ensure impartiality.
The elevation of Tororo Municipality to city status, retaining its current boundaries, is a nod to its strategic importance as a commercial and logistical hub along the Uganda-Kenya border. Anchored by the Malaba border post, Tororo City is poised to become a center for cross-border trade, customs, and regional transport, leveraging its position along the East African rail network connecting to Kenya’s Mombasa port.
The restructuring addresses longstanding ethnic tensions between the Iteso and Jopadhola communities, which have historically complicated governance in Tororo. By creating distinct administrative units, the government aims to ensure equitable representation and resource allocation. “This is about bringing services closer to the people,” said Vice President Jessica Alupo during a high-level meeting with Tororo leaders. “We are not dividing people; we are multiplying opportunities.”
Local leaders and residents have expressed cautious optimism. Phibby Otaala, a former high commissioner to Kenya and aspiring Tororo Woman MP, noted that the new structure could enhance representation and development, particularly in underserved rural areas like Mella and Kirewa. However, some, voiced concerns about the financial implications, pointing to the increased costs of additional MPs, administrative staff, and infrastructure, estimating that new parliamentary seats alone could require 300 million Ugandan shillings per vehicle.
The creation of new districts aligns with Uganda’s broader decentralization strategy, which seeks to spur economic growth by empowering local governments. Tororo’s strategic location, highlighted by Okumu Kadoketch, positions it as a gateway for trade and industrialization. Sub-counties like Nagongera, Kisoko, and Iyolwa, now part of the new districts, are ripe for agro-processing investments, given their agricultural output and road connectivity.
Electorally, the restructuring will reshape Tororo’s political landscape. The new districts and city will necessitate additional parliamentary seats, including woman MPs and constituency representatives, feeding into Uganda’s electoral roadmap for 2026. The London Report’s recommendations ensure that the new boundaries account for demographic and cultural realities, aiming to minimize disputes during the electoral process.
While the move has been broadly welcomed, it is not without challenges. Critics argue that the proliferation of administrative units in Uganda—now exceeding 135 districts as of 2021—strains national resources. The financial burden of establishing new district headquarters, staffing, and infrastructure could divert funds from critical sectors like health and education, especially amid recent challenges like the Ebola outbreak reported in Kampala in January 2025.
Additionally, the unnamed district’s designation remains a point of contention. President Museveni emphasized the need for a neutral name to avoid favoritism, but local stakeholders have yet to reach a consensus. Community engagement will be crucial to ensuring the new administrative units foster unity rather than deepen divisions.
