In February 2025, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni approved the creation of three new districts from the existing Tororo district in Eastern Uganda. This decision has sparked significant debate, with critics arguing that it was driven more by political considerations than by genuine administrative needs.
The decision to split Tororo District is seen through the lens of both ethnic and political dynamics, most especially between the Bateso and Badama communities.
The Bateso and Badama communities have had longstanding tensions over administrative boundaries and resource allocation. President Museveni has previously cautioned against tribal frictions, emphasizing the importance of unity and coexistence among different ethnic groups.
However, the creation of new districts appears to reinforce rather than ease these ethnic divides, raising questions about the government’s commitment to fostering national cohesion.
The Teso sub-region, from which the new districts have been carved, has increasingly become a stronghold for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). The region has also produced influential national leaders, including the current vice president and speaker of parliament, who are reportedly said to be behind the lobbying for the creation of new districts, hence being seen by the public as a calculated political scheme to consolidate NRM support ahead of the 2026 general elections.
This trend is not new. Since 1986, the number of districts in Uganda has increased from 33 to 115, a pattern many analysts interpret as a vote-maximization strategy. While new districts can bring services closer to the people, they are often established without adequate planning or resources, leading to inefficiencies and administrative duplication, hence putting more strain on the country’s resources without corresponding improvements in service delivery.
This development also directly contradicts the government’s own fiscal goals. In February 2025, Ramathan Ggoobi, the Permanent Secretary to the Treasury, restated Uganda’s commitment to curbing public expenditure and reducing the wage bill, a stance that includes halting the creation of new administrative units.
Auditor General Reports have repeatedly highlighted funding shortfalls in the newly created cities, with many struggling to meet basic operational costs.
Uganda is currently facing significant economic challenges, including a rising public debt and limited fiscal space. The Finance Ministry has announced plans to reduce overall spending and domestic borrowing in the 2025/26 fiscal year to address these concerns. Therefore, the creation of new districts represents an additional financial burden, diverting resources from critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure development.
In the context of economic gravity and the approaching 2026 elections, the decision to split Tororo District raises important questions about the prudent use of public funds, the true intent behind administrative restructuring, and the risk of deepening ethnic divisions.
As the country moves forward, there is an urgent need to critically evaluate such policies to ensure they serve the broader national interest rather than short-term political gains.
