President Museveni has clarified that there is no government ban on the creation of new administrative units such as districts and municipalities, but emphasized that key infrastructure—particularly roads—must be prioritized before new districts are approved.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday while concluding his campaigns in Teso sub-region, Museveni was asked on the rationale behind the ban on creation of new districts but dismissed the claim as being non-existent.
“ It is not a ban but prioritization. The people of Kaberamaido need a road from Katine to Ochero yet we don’t have money to do everything. What then do we start with first, the district or the road? In my view, we need the road first,” Museveni said.
The question came following several requests for districts by the population especially in Teso where he is campaigning.
Many have defended the requests for the new districts by highlighting the need to bring service delivery closer to the people.
Speaking on Tuesday, Museveni said he supports the creation of new districts, especially on special interest grounds.
“For example, Kisoro used to be part of Kigezi but the other people in Kigezi who are the Bakiga and Banyankole have their way of speaking which is a bit different from Kinyarwanda. Many people of Kisoro are Kinyarwanda speakers. What they are speaking but different from Bakiga, Banyankole. That’s why we gave them a district. That is our doctrine of self-determination within united Uganda,” he said.
The president was however quick to say that whereas government is okay with creation of new districts, there are other priorities which must come first, like roads since they are needed by everyone.
“My proposal is we start with the road and the district will come later. It is not a ban. We don’t have money to do everything, so what do we do? When roads are bad, they cause a lot of inconvenience because they affect everybody.”
“It is all budget controls( which stop us from creation of new districts) but in principle, is us who started the idea and no one can love it more than us.”
