By Eddy Enuru
Celebrations over being declared a city in Soroti have turned sour as residents grow suspicious of new boundary demarcations not explained to them.
Residents of Opiyai B and A in Amen town council have been the most vocal in their unhappiness at the new boundaries.
The residents claims that even their political leaders are unaware on how some of the new demarcations were made.
Many of the residents complain that if they are left out of the city precincts, they are likely to miss out on service delivery.
The disputes come two months after the Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga presided over the inauguration of Soroti city.
Soroti city is among the ten cities that were approved by the parliament of Uganda to start operating on 1st July this year.
Joseph Eteru, the area chairman Opiyai under western division, argues that the demarcations are being engineered by individuals with selfish political interests.
A resident in the area Simon Peter Ebitu has sought explanation on how the new demarcations will affect them but no leader can give him satisfactory answers. He says the leaders also claim that they were not consulted.
Acting Lord Mayor Paul Omer says that they are holding consultations with the Local Government ministry on the impasse. They hope to get a clearer explanation that they will pass on to the community about the changes.
He has also presented a petition from residents protesting the new demarcations and hopes the confusion can be resolved before elections are held on Monday.