Namutumba demands another constituency
Demonstrations. Leaders carry placards during a demonstration at Namutumba District demanding an additional constituency last week. PHOTO BY RONALD SEEBE
What you need to know:
- Mr Badru Sindani, the chairperson of Kizuba Sub-county, said as Opposition, they fault government for the continued creation of new administrative units, saying they strain government financially.
Leaders and residents of Namutumba District are seeking approval of another constituency called Busiki North, which they say will comprise Mazuba, Magada, Kagulu and Kiwanyi sub-counties.
Leaders say they asked for two constituencies but only one was approved in 2015.
The former Member of Parliament for Busiki Constituency, Mr Isiko Mpongo, said in 2015, Bikini and Busiki North constituencies were proposed to be created in Namutumba District.
“It is a constitutional right for leaders, together with locals, to create a new constituency for better service delivery,” he said.
The resolution for a new constituency was reached at by the district council which sat in December 2015, presided over by the speaker, Mr Emmanuel Maganda.
The leaders said the four sub-counties constituting a new constituency have a population of two million registered voters. “Bukono became a constituency with a population of 1.5 million registered voters,” they said.
The chairperson of Mazuba Sub-county, Mr James Mugurwa, said the proposal to approve Busiki North constituency comes as a reminder to their MPs to follow up and also remind President Museveni of the ‘hanging’ constituency.
Namutumba District has 14 sub-counties and three town councils with two constituencies.
Bukono Constituency, represented in Parliament by Ms Persis Namuganza, comprises four sub-counties and one town council, while Busiki Constituency, represented in Parliament by Mr Paul Akamba, has 11 sub-counties and two town councils.
Other views
Mr Badru Sindani, the chairperson of Kizuba Sub-county, said as Opposition, they fault government for the continued creation of new administrative units, saying they strain government financially.
“There is no need to create another constituency when the new administrative units which were created in 2016 are non-functional,” he said.
Mr William Genga, a resident of Kagulu Village, said instead of creating a new constituency, leaders should join efforts and have Namutumba Town Council elevated to a municipality.
“With a constituency, only one person (the MP) benefits, but a municipality comes with many opportunities,” he said.
