In a bold move to reshape eastern Uganda’s administrative map, President Yoweri Museveni has approved the creation of three new districts from Greater Tororo and the elevation of Tororo Municipality to city status.
The announcement came after a high-level peace-building meeting at State House Entebbe, bringing together local leaders, religious figures, MPs, ministers, and district officials. The goal: to tackle persistent ethnic divisions and streamline service delivery.
Tororo Municipality will officially become Tororo City, retaining its existing boundaries. This long-debated upgrade—particularly between the Japadhola and Iteso communities—is designed to foster better urban management and autonomy. It positions Tororo as a key hub in the wider Bukedi Sub-region.
The administrative reshuffle doesn’t stop there. Greater Tororo will now be split into three distinct districts:
- Mukuju District will comprise Tororo County North and South.
- Mulanda District will include West Budama South and Central.
- A third district, drawn from West Budama North and North-East, remains unnamed. Community consultations, especially with Japadhola leaders, will decide its future name.
The restructuring is grounded in findings from the recently published London Report, which clarified longstanding disputes over county and municipal boundaries.
This report is credited with easing historical administrative tensions between the Japadhola and Iteso, a fault line that has fractured the region for decades.
Officials say the new districts and city status are more than symbolic—they are strategic. According to Tororo Deputy Resident District Commissioner Albert Amula, the realignment is expected to bring governance closer to the people.
“This will deepen unity and cooperation,” Amula said. “The previous district was too large to serve everyone efficiently. We expect faster service delivery and better representation.”
With a population nearing 640,000, Tororo has long grappled with uneven development and administrative bottlenecks. The move follows a broader national trend of decentralisation. In 2005, Butaleja District was also carved out of Tororo, illustrating the region’s ongoing transformation.
Leaders across the board have hailed the restructuring as a milestone—one that may finally resolve years of ethnic rivalry driven by competition for resources and political representation.
As consultations begin—particularly on naming the third district—the changes are expected to be integrated into Uganda’s upcoming electoral roadmap. Implementation will proceed swiftly to ensure the new entities are operational ahead of the next general elections.
For many in Tororo, this isn’t just redistricting—it’s a new chapter built on equity, efficiency, and long-awaited peace.
