Some NRM supporters in Yumbe District have asked President Museveni to appoint their own to the next cabinet in appreciation of the over 80% votes given to him in the January Presidential polls. They are also demanding that the district of Yumbe be further split to form another district with lower administrative units.
According to the Electoral Commission, Museveni obtained 84% of the votes in Yumbe District against seven other candidates who contested with him.
Dr. Ben Driwale, one of the residents who spoke to Uganda Radio Network (URN), explained that Yumbe District’s large size is affecting service delivery as many people cannot access basic services. Driwale said that creating more districts will address this challenge as services will be closer to people.
Yumbe District has a total population of 945,100 people, comprising of 50.2% male and 49.8% female, with a total of 153,061 households as reported in the National Population and Housing Census2024 conducted by Uganda Bureau Of Statistics (UBOS).
The district currently has 26 sub counties and town councils, 197 parishes, and 1,159 villages, making it one of the largest and most populous districts in Northern Uganda. The NRM District Administrator, Rasul Adiga, urged the President to appoint qualified people from the district in ministerial and other high-level positions.
“One of the things that people of Yumbe District are now asking from the President is to fulfill their request for more districts of Daca, Bidibidi, and Midigo, as well as a municipality. Then secondly, when making appointments, the president should not forget people from Yumbe District who are qualified,” he said.
The residents, however, praised President Museveni for his leadership that enabled development in the region and the country at large. They mentioned ongoing construction of Koboko-Yumbe-Moyo road, establishment of Yumbe referral hospital, and stable electricity, among others.
Kadara Angucijo, recalls the experience during wartime when they fled the country as refugees in South Sudan. She commends the government for restoring peace and creating an environment for development.
“Ever since Museveni’s government took over, I have celebrated the peace that it has created and the fact that we were brought back from exile. I also thank the government for providing an environment for us to freely do our work here in Yumbe,” Kadara said.
Yumbe District council had previously proposed the creation of three more districts, including Daca, Bidibidi and Midigo, all to be carved out of the current Yumbe District with the main purpose of improving service for people-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
