Luuka: Much as government halted the creation of new administrative units due to lack of resources to fund its operations resulting from a cracked economy, many district councils have continued to sit and pass resolutions creating new constituencies, municipalities, districts and town councils among others.
On May, 30th, 2023, Luuka district council passed a controversial unpopular resolution to create a new constituency called Luuka Central. The motion was moved by councillor Shaban Batwala seconded by Hajji Badiru Ngobi.
Luuka district currently has two big constituencies; Luuka South and Luuka North. The proposed new constituency will cover Luuka TC, Kyanvuma TC, Bulongo and Irongo sub-counties.
However, this has raised a lot of dust from residents, LC three chairpersons and other opinion leaders who instead prefer the creation of Luuka Municipality. Their main argument is that creating a Municipality means using one stone to kill two birds than a constituency whose major beneficiary is only its Member of Parliament.
After the controversial resolution, the LC3 chairpersons led by Akabway Kawuta of Luuka TC & Mr. Hussein Taitika of Bulongo sub-county stormed the district headquarters to meet the authorities, seeking for an explanation on who gave them the permission to create a constituency without consulting them.
The sub-county chairpersons claim those behind the passing of a constituency are self-seekers and appealed to the authorities in Kampala not to approve it.
The sub-county chairpersons believe a new municipality will automatically guarantee a constituency, a mayor and a fully-fledged Local Council 3 and will create jobs for both the learned and unlearned, increase funding and hence better service delivery.
— Story by Umar Ntogona
