Tororo, Uganda – The longstanding administrative conflict in Tororo District continues to stir debate, even as leaders reached a key agreement to elevate Tororo Municipality to city status.
While the elevation was welcomed, the issue of naming new districts sparked fresh tension during a high-level meeting chaired by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo.
Leaders from West Budama and Tororo County unanimously supported granting Tororo Municipality city status within its current boundaries.
However, sharp disagreements erupted over which of the newly proposed districts would retain the name “Tororo.”
During the meeting, Tororo County requested the creation of two new districts, a request echoed by leaders from West Budama.
In response, Vice President Alupo, standing in for President Yoweri Museveni, advised that the government could only accommodate three administrative units at this time: one district for Tororo County, one for West Budama and the newly elevated Tororo City.
She explained that the government lacks the resources to support multiple new administrative units simultaneously, encouraging the delegation to accept the proposed structure with a possibility for future sub-divisions.
Alupo also informed the leaders that Mukuju has already been gazetted as a district awaiting operationalization and recommended that it be prioritized for fast-tracking.
Tororo District Woman MP Sarah Achieng Opendi supported the vice president’s proposal. She expressed hope that the new Tororo City would retain the name “Tororo” and suggested the new districts adopt either neutral or composite names, such as “Tororo-Mukuju” or “Kisoko-Mukuju,” to avoid further conflict.
However, the idea of using “Tororo” in any of the new district names faced strong resistance.
West Budama South MP Emmanuel Otiam Otaala insisted that Tororo District already exists and cannot be recreated.
He emphasized that using the same name for another administrative unit would be misleading and could spark further tensions.
State Minister for Defence (General Duties), Jacob Oboth Oboth, described the naming standoff as a minor issue.
He said this was “a matter of ego” and argued that “there is no way a newly created administrative unit can inherit the name of an existing one.”
The naming conflict is rooted in longstanding ethnic tensions.
The Japadhola view Tororo Municipality as central to their heritage, while the Iteso argue it is part of Tororo County.
Previous government efforts to resolve the issue have often ended in gridlock, with both communities holding firm to their positions.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi recommended that the meeting focus first on the city’s elevation and revisit the naming issue afterward.
Former MP Annet Nyakecho proposed following the example of Soroti and Mbale, where municipalities retained their district names after gaining city status.
Vice President Alupo praised religious leaders for promoting peace and unity, saying they had demonstrated strong moral leadership.
She urged the Japadhola and Iteso communities to foster unity through intermarriage, friendship, and open dialogue.
“Let our people start speaking freely, mixing freely, and living without fear,” she said. “Only then can the government serve Tororo as smoothly as it does in other districts.”
The day-long meeting brought together top leaders, including cultural heads, ministers, MPs, religious leaders, local government officials and representatives of various faith groups, all committed to charting a peaceful path forward for Tororo.
