SHEILAH NAKABUYE
Tensions are mounting in Igara West constituency following a proposal to merge the sub-counties of Bitooma and Kyamuhunga to create a municipality.
While the locals say they were not consulted on the proposal, the councillors claim it was in the interest of the area's growth.
The quest to create Kyamuhunga-Bitooma Municipality in Bushenyi district comes weeks after President Museveni said on the creation of new administrative units should be halted.
It also comes after an announcement from the ministry of Local Government that the new units will not receive funds due to constraints.
Councillors in Bitooma, Kyamuhunga town councils and Kyamuhunga sub counties passed a resolution to merge and form a municipality.
This, they argue, would increase the financial base and also bring services closer to the people.
But while the councillors say they consulted their voters and educated them on the resolution, many locals said they were just hearing of it.
Some locals claim their councillors are being used by the area member of parliament Raphael Magyezi to create an administrative unit to serve his political interests.
Magyezi is even carrying out consultations on the resolution.
Magyezi told The Nile Post that those opposed to the creation of a new municipality are his usual critics.
" I am not going to be distracted. The municipality must be created," he said.
According to statistics from Bushenyi district, Kyamuhunga has a population of over 180,000 people. The proposed municipality's main economic activity is tea growing and the area has seven tea processing companies.
