Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) operating in Northern Uganda and members of the public say that the formation of new constituencies is not to the best interest of the country.
Mr. Jomeo Richard says that currently, citizens are concerned about electoral reforms which have been responded to by government through creating new constituencies.
Jomeo says that the impact of the new counties to the ordinary person shall never yield tangible benefits but rather a burden to tax payers as costs of paying members of Parliament (MPs) and facilitating them is enormous yet they do nothing.
‘‘What we need from the president and cabinet is not formation of new constituencies but functioning local government and increase in their budgets, at the same time reduce on the cost of presidency and the executive expenditure which is a burden to the tax payers’’ Jomeo stated .
He says new counties in Uganda is just a wastage of tax payers’ money, the criteria in which the counties are awarded is not proportional as some districts have been left with only one county like Kitgum while others like Ntungamo which have only one street is a municipality.
Meanwhile Mr Joseph Okello Anywar from Layibi college says that formation of the new constituencies in Omoro will create more employment opportunity especially for the youth.
He however said that tension will also arise as political aspirants will be divided on who should become their leader basing on political difference which in the long run hinders development as most time will be spent on bickering.
During a press conference organized at northern Uganda media center, Mr. Tolit Simon who is the former MP Omoro County said that there was a resolution by Gulu district local government to create a district out of Omoro County since 2011.
Mr Obutu Francis says that creation of new counties will create more opportunities to the graduates putting in mind that so many finish school but can’t be absorbed in the current job market.
Local government minister, Mr Adolf Mwesigye last week revealed that cabinet had approved the creation of 39 new constituencies, a move that will drive the number of legislators to 424.
Mwesige said that it is considered necessary to create the counties for effective representation, streamlining administration, internal emancipation and reduction of marginalization.
He added that the new counties will improve planning of those areas and extend services closer to the people.
They are created in line with article 179(4) of the Constitution that provides for creation of administrative units including counties and Section 7(7) which empowers Parliament to approve alteration of boundaries for creation of a new county.
The following are the proposed new counties:
FROM (OLD COUNTY) DISTRICT, Agago North, Agago County Agago, Orungo County, Amuria County, Amuria, Lutseshe County, Manjiya County, Bududa, Kachumbala County, Bukedea County, Bukedea, Bukomansimbi South, Bukomansimbi County, Bukomansimbi, Elgon County, Bulambuli County, Bulambuli, Dokolo South County, Dokolo County, Tochi county, Omoro county Gulu district among others
