The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Residents in the Rwenzori region are happy with the creation of new administrative units.
This is according to a study conducted by Kabarole Research and Resource Centre, an NGO operating in the Rwenzori region.
The study conducted by Makerere University political scientist, Prof Godfrey Asiimwe focused on Kamwenge, Kyenjojo and Bunyangabu which were curved out of Kabarole as well as lower level government units that were created in the new districts.
It showed that residents want new administrative units such, but their creation should come with better services.
The study focused on schools and health facilities that have been established as result of the creation of new districts. The study shows that health facilities increased from 60 which were in Kabarole district to 137 in the new districts. Education institutions also increased from 362 to 1,184 facilities.
Prof Asiimwe says respondents said the quality of services was still low to serve the increasing population.
According to Asiimwe, political leaders said that new administrative units need between 5 to 15 years to stabilise and 15 to 30 years to deliver quality services. This, he said is due to the inadequate funds allocated to the units.
Asiimwe recommends systematic criteria for creation of new administrative units and that the new administrative units should be funded independently rather than sharing funds with mother units.
The findings were presented on Thursday at a breakfast meeting attended by Members of Parliament from the Rwenzori region.
Last month, the Kasese District Council approved the split of the district into four districts of Nyamughasana covering Bukonzo East Constituency, Bwera to cover Bukonzo West constituency, Mubuku for Busongora North and Kasese district to be in present Busongora South and Kasese Municipality.
Busongora South MP Jackson Mbaju said the findings have boosted his morale as he campaigns for the split of Kasese. He argued that the quality of leaders is what determines the quality of services in new districts.
But Kabarole Woman MP, Sylvia Rwabwogo argued that Kasese district should not be split. The power, she said is in being together rather than being divided.
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