By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
Excitement as Cabinet approves the creation of 31 more counties, constituencies a head of 2021 general elections.
Initially cabinet had approved the creation of 15 counties and now the new created counties include, Namayingo County curved out of Namayingo District, Mawogola West County from Mawogola County in Sembabule District, Otuke East County curved out of Otuke County in Otuke District, Ruhama East County got from Ruhama County in Ntungamo District and Isigiro West County curved out of Isingiro District among others.
Hon.Peter Ogwang the state minister for ICT told journalists at the media center on Tuesday 28th July 2020 that the new counties were approved following a thorough assessment and consultations upon approval by local authorities and concerned stakeholders.
Ogwang Said, “At First, there has to been resolutions by local authorities from sub-county to district councils as a constitutional requirement in the provisions in Article 179 clause 4 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda.
“Some of these are in line with the local government act specifically provision 243. All these were passed by the district council and some of them were passed in 2010,” Ogwang said.
Ogwang further said that, the Minister stated that the Minister of Kampala together with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs will give an account on creation of a new county within Nakawa.
On the same development cabinet early this month approved five more slots in Parliament to be occupied by the elderly as a special interest group.
News for creation of new counties comes a month after the government approved the creation of six new counties and nine Constituencies all expected to vote in Members of Parliament in the next general elections.
If considered the 15 MPs will add to the 15 others that will be voted in the new cities that were approved by Parliament recently in addition to 13 new districts that became 12 new districts that became operational in Financial years 2018/21, 2019/2019 and Terego District that starts on July 1.
All these administrative units will also be sending in Woman MPs come February 2021 elections.
Each of the 15 new cities that will be operationalized in a phased manner will be represented by two MPs hence an addition one to that direct representative of those former Municipalities.
Currently, there are 461 MPs including the ex-officios in the 10th Parliament and the creation of new districts, cities and counties will yield about 52 more MPs come 2021 in the 11th parliament.
As we talk now parliament is constructing a new chamber that is supposed to accommodate over 600 Legislators including technical staff and the press fraternity.
