President Museveni has approved the creation of three new districts and one city out of the existing Greater Tororo District, in a move aimed at addressing ethnic tensions and improving service delivery.
The decision, confirmed by the Presidency on Wednesday evening, followed a high-level peace-building meeting at State House Entebbe, attended by traditional and religious leaders, Members of Parliament, ministers from the region, district councillors, and LC III chairpersons.
Tororo Municipality will be elevated to city status, becoming Tororo City, with its current boundaries maintained.
The upgrade, a longstanding issue of contention between the Japadhola and Iteso communities, is part of a broader strategy to enhance urban governance and grant administrative autonomy in line with the region's growth.
The new city will serve as a key urban centre for the wider Bukedi Sub-region.
In a sweeping administrative reorganisation, the remainder of Tororo District will be subdivided into three new districts.
Mukuju District will include the constituencies of Tororo County North and Tororo County South.
Mulanda District will encompass West Budama County South and West Budama Central.
A third district will be formed from West Budama County North and West Budama North-East, with the name to be determined through community consultations, particularly with the Japadhola leadership.
The restructuring aligns with recommendations from the recently released London Report, which clarified disputed historical and administrative boundaries—especially whether the municipality was part of West Budama or Tororo County.
The report has been instrumental in resolving long-standing disagreements between the Japadhola and Iteso over administrative control.
Officials say the realignment offers a path to lasting peace in a region often fractured along ethnic lines. Tororo Deputy Resident District Commissioner Albert Amula welcomed the development, describing it as transformative.
“This will deepen unity and cooperation amongst the people. Service delivery is going to improve,” Amula said. “The previous district was too large, making it difficult to effectively reach all citizens.”
The decision has been described by local leaders as a landmark moment for the culturally diverse district.
Many believe the changes will improve governance and reduce competition over limited administrative resources, a key source of ethnic grievances in the past.
Tororo District, according to the 2024 Uganda Population and Housing Census, has an estimated population of 639,700.
It is located in eastern Uganda and borders Kenya to the east, Bugiri to the west, Butaleja to the north, Busia to the south, and Mbale to the northeast.
Previously, the district comprised six counties, one municipality with two divisions, 30 rural sub-counties, 10 town councils, 180 parishes, and 1,337 villages.
It is not the first time Tororo has seen such change. In 2005, Butaleja District was carved out of it, reflecting a continuing trend of administrative decentralisation in Uganda.
Sources who attended the State House meeting say the resolutions are expected to be integrated into Uganda’s electoral roadmap, with implementation targeted ahead of the next general elections.
Stakeholder consultations will begin immediately, especially regarding the naming of the third district.
The administrative overhaul marks a new chapter for Tororo—one that aims to build equity, enhance public services, and foster harmony between its historically divided communities.