Bushenyi divided into five districts

Trade Minister Maj. Gen. Kahinda Otafiire has finally lost the battle to keep Bushenyi as a single block after Cabinet on wednesday passed a resolution to carve four new administrative units out of the district.

President Museveni chaired the Cabinet sitting at State House, Entebbe which agreed that four counties be elevated to districts.

New units
They are Sheema County, which becomes Kibingo District, Buhweju County that will be Nsiika District, Bunyaruguru County is Katerere District while Ruhinda County becomes Mitooma District. Bushenyi District will retain Igara County.

Cabinet is said to have also agreed to the creation of another 10 new districts, which would bring the total number to 111, from the current 97. Details of the others were not clear by press time.
Local government Minister Adolf Mwesige last evening confirmed he will be tabling the Cabinet resolutions before Parliament today but declined to give details.

Daily Monitor understands that the Cabinet directed that the creation of the four new districts will take effect on July 1.
Gen. Otafiire, who together with ministers – Prof. Tarsis Kabwegyere (Relief) and Dr Richard Nduhuura (state for health) have vehemently opposed the splitting of the fifth most populous district in the country, was reportedly absent at yesterday’s cabinet meet.

Ironically, Gen. Otafiire, who also doubles as the Bushenyi District National Resistance Movement chairman, ceases to belong to Bushenyi as his Ruhinda County now houses Mitooma District.
The Bushenyi District split battle has pitted Gen. Otafiire against cabinet colleague, Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu, who had the support of MPs – Dr Elioda Tumwesigye (Sheema North), Deus Bikasizehi (Buhweju).

Gen. Otafiire declined to comment last evening but Prof. Kamuntu was in a jubilating mood.
“I feel very great that the president has heard and agreed to the demands of the people of Bushenyi,” said Prof Kamuntu, the only minister who agitated for the split. “The decision is more than welcome.”

Prof Kabwegyere, another of the ministers opposed to the split, chose to swallow the defeat. “You know, I lost my mother and I didn’t hang myself. This is no deal,” Prof. Kabwegyere told this newspaper by telephone.

Bushenyi, with a total population of 731,392 according to the 2002 population census is the largest district in western Uganda.
The split of Bushenyi in the run up to the 2011 general elections could be a key campaign issue.

It remains to be seen how the different groups will deal seek to use the split, which has come after a long battle.

About Bushenyi District

• Headquarters situated in Bushenyi Ishaka Town Council.
• 5 Counties Igara, Sheema, Buhweju, Ruhinda and Bunyaruguru
• 27 Sub Counties and 2 Town Councils
• 170 Parishes
• 2034 villages
• Total Population - 731,392 (2002 population census)