By KT Reporter
Calls for the creation of Aber District have been reignited in Oyam following President Yoweri Museveni’s recent proposed split of Tororo District on April 24, 2025.
At a stakeholders’ meeting held on May 19 at the Oyam District Council Hall, civil and political leaders expressed frustration over what they described as the government’s continued neglect of their 15-year-old demand to carve out Aber District from Oyam.
They presented their case to Lt. Col (Rtd) Ambako Kibrai, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Mobilization attached to the RDC Secretariat. Christ Ongom, the LC5 Vice Chairperson of Oyam and Councilor for Acaba Sub-county, said the district’s large population justifies the creation of a new administrative unit.
Ongom noted that formal submissions for Aber District were made in 2011, 2018, and 2023, yet there has been no positive response. Robert Ekwaro, LC3 Chairperson of Loro Town Council, accused the government of dragging its feet on the matter, suggesting the delays may be politically motivated.
Francis Angor, LC3 Chairperson of Aber Sub-county, added that the community’s repeated petitions have yielded no tangible results, despite the area’s rapid population growth.
In his response, Lt. Col Kibrai advised the community to rally more support for President Museveni if they want their demands to be fulfilled.
Oyam North MP, Dr. Eunice Apio, revealed she had formally petitioned the President on the same day he announced the splitting of Tororo District. Her petition called for the establishment of the Aber District and the creation of Oyam Central County to improve service delivery and governance.
Established in 2006, Oyam District now comprises 11 sub-counties and 5 town councils. The National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024 recorded a total of 477,464 residents, with 224,158 males and 253,306 females.
Under Article 179 of Uganda’s Constitution, new districts can be created following consultation with Cabinet and approval by Parliament, in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act. Although Oyam leaders argue that they have met all the legal and administrative prerequisites, they remain in limbo, pending political will from the central government-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
