Bugweri district, one of the newest districts in Uganda, is advocating for two more new constituencies that will bring the total number of constituencies in the nascent district to three.
With eight sub-counties of Busembatia, Namalemba, Buyanga, Busesa, Idudi, Ibulanku, Makuutu and Igombe sub-county, Bugweri has a population of over 210,000 people who are represented by only two legislators; Hon Abudu Katuntu and Racheal Magoola.
It is blessed with Rare Earth Elements, a mineral containing high concentration of heavy and critical metals, necessary for strong magnets and technologies. According to reports from Rwenzori Rare Metals, a company responsible for the undertaking, the commercial production of minerals is expected to start in 2024.
District leaders and citizens now express urgent need of three constituencies for effective representation, protection of minerals and lobbying that will benefit the population.
Busoga Today has learnt that on the district chairperson’s recommendation, Bugweri district local council approved three constituencies; Bugweri North, Bugweri Central and Bugweri South.
According to Hajji Shafic Muzilansa, the Bugweri district boss, Bugweri North will comprise Busembatia, Namalemba and Buyanga sub-counties. Bugweri Central on the other hand will comprise Busesa, Idudi, Bwigula parish, Nsaale parish and Ibulanku sub-county while Bugweri South will consist if mineral rich Makuutu, Igombe, Namaganda, Nawansega and Buniantole parishes.
“Bugweri district qualifies because of its population. We want more representation in Parliament, technical schools and health centre 4s that government allocates at constituency levels,” Muzilansa said.
The chair added: “Bugweri needs a lot of support in terms of capital, social economic development and also to be endowed with human resource.”
Muzilansa said majority of the district residents are welcoming the move, decrying the negative voices that he described as “merely politicking selfish egos”.
“We urgently need these constituencies basing on the decentralization policy of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government,” Ibrahim Ndhoga, the Ibulanku LC3 chairperson, said.
“We need these constituencies because government embarked on allocating roads to Members of Parliament under interconnectivity program where each MP is being given 30km of roads per financial year,” the FDC diehard said.
Ndhoga believes that once Bugweri four legislators, the district can have 120km of roads in a single financial year, a move that will help ease the transportation of goods and services as well as people.
He, however, blamed government for failure in its duties which has made people think that forming such administrative units can bring services nearer to the people.
“If the budget is always propeople, like promoting agriculture, human capital development, Education, health and job creation, government would be making a lot of sense,” Ndhoga said.
Ronald Kakaire, a senior citizen in Bugweri district, who welcomed the development, said it’s high time government heard their voices given the fact that the district population suits the three constituencies.
“If government through the Finance ministry proves the funding for these administrative units and whatsoever, Bugweri is worthy to be divided,” he said.
