Local Govt Minister Butime declares Palorinya in Obongi a district

Arua, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Local Government’s Minister, Tom Butime has written, stating that the disputed Palorinya Sub County belongs to the newly created Obongi district. This is contained in the minister’s November 18th, 2019 letter to the Moyo and Obongi District Chairpersons.

“By virtue of the fact that Palorinya was part of Itula Sub County, which formed part of Obongi County, it becomes part of the new Obongi district local government,” reads the letter in part. Butime’s letter is expected to bring to end a feud between the two local governments over Palorinya Sub County.

The letter, which is copied to among others the president’s office, the Local government and Public Service Ministry Permanent Secretaries also offers directives on three key areas including sharing assets such as vehicles and furniture, geographical Boundaries of the new Obongi district and Councilors whose electoral areas fall under the new district.

“If the people of Palorinya Sub County wish to belong to another district, there is a process to be followed to change the boundaries of a district. Before this process is completed, Palorinya Sub County will continue to be under and getting services from Obongi district local government…,” reads the letter.

He says that all vehicles in good working condition belonging to the then Moyo district be shared between Moyo and Obongi, and that all project vehicles won’t be shared until all modalities are followed. Following its inauguration on July 1st 2019, Obongi district leaders were blocked from accessing Palorinya by a group of people opposed to the move.

The mob also injured the Obongi County MP, Hassan Fungaroo and destroyed plastic chairs and tents that he had delivered to a Women’s group in Palorinya. Two weeks ago, Electoral Commission officials from Obongi district who had gone to conduct voter registration and update exercise on the request of Palorinya residents were beaten by people believed to be against Obongi district. They also destroyed property and torched resident’s houses.

Officials from both districts are yet to pronounce themselves on the Minister’s directive but the Obongi MP, Hassan Fungaroo, says there is no argument on the Minister’s directive since it’s in line with the law governing boundaries and creation of new local governments.

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