Restrict creation of new districts, focus on improving the economy

This act which some people have baptised “districtisation” is a consequence of high levels of unemployment.

President Museveni’s decision to put a moratorium on creation of new districts is long overdue.

This act which some people have baptised “districtisation” is a consequence of high levels of unemployment.

A desperate elite class, desirous of creating jobs for themselves, finds a convenient excuse in the need to bring services closer to people and mounts excessive pressure to create districts. The inevitable union between propagators of this unscientific justification and vote-hunting politicians has worsened the situation.

Indeed, we need a law that restricts district formation, at least, for the next 20 years. The Ministry of Local Government should develop and publish district formation standards. Geographical size of the area, terrain,
population density, tax base and economic occupation of the communities are some of the considerations the ministry ought to make.

The money required to kick off every new district would rather be injected into Naads to facilitate quality agricultural production.

As the East African Community becomes a reality, Ugandans need to be helped to project the anticipated market forces in the region so as to
make timely adjustments. Locking ourselves up in some of these temporary consumption drives is the surest way to bury our economy.
It is my humble request that Parliament works together with the Executive to condemn this district hullabaloo.

Moses Nuwagaba,
nuwagabamoses@gmail.com