By KT Reporter
The leadership of Lwengo District has called on the government to lift the ban on the creation of new local administrative units, arguing it is crucial for equitable service delivery and improved livelihoods. In 2022, the cabinet suspended the creation of new administrative structures — including villages, parishes, sub-counties, divisions, municipalities, and districts — citing concerns over administrative costs.
However, Lwengo District Chairperson Ibrahim Kitatta says the ban is no longer logical, claiming it contradicts the government’s policy focus on service delivery and resource allocation.
“We are finding it difficult to effectively implement wealth creation programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and other social services that rely heavily on population size and administrative reach,” Kitatta said.
According to Kitatta, many government programs are failing to achieve their intended impact in the community due to the limited number of administrative units, which no longer match the rapidly growing population and increased service demand. He appealed for a review of the policy, suggesting that districts facing unique challenges be granted the opportunity to create new administrative units.
Kitatta further pointed out that government policies requiring a Health Centre III and a secondary school in each sub-county are impractical for Lwengo, given that many residents still struggle to access these facilities due to transport barriers. “This is also affecting the efficiency of service delivery, creating unbearable pressure on government schools and health centres, ultimately compromising the quality of services,” he explained.
Lwengo District Council Speaker Pelgrino Ssenozi echoed Kitatta’s sentiments, noting that the vast land areas of some villages and parishes hinder full coverage in service delivery. “If we indeed care about extending services to the communities, we should create and operationalize more delivery centers so that people can feel the government’s presence,” Ssenozi said.
He further argued that suspending the creation of new units contradicts the principles of democracy, which respect the will of the majority. “As leaders, we have repeatedly received demands from communities requesting the splitting of their areas,” he added.
The 2022 suspension directive from the Minister of Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, was justified on the grounds of reducing administrative costs and channeling resources into more productive sectors. Similarly, Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, Ramathan Ggoobi, has consistently argued that the creation of new administrative units often becomes a conduit for wasteful government expenditure-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
