Eredet emphasized the need for division, stating, “The district is too large to provide quality service delivery to its population. We have over 40 sub-counties, while some districts in Uganda have as few as seven. This imbalance must be addressed.” His comments reignited long-standing divisions between the Iteso and Japadhola communities, which have historically clashed over issues of representation and resource allocation.
However, resistance emerged quickly from a faction of Tororo County councillors led by Peter Langalanga, who insisted on the necessity of consulting their constituents before proceeding with any discussions. “We can have this discussion in the next council meeting. For now, we need to consult our people,” Langalanga argued, highlighting the importance of community engagement in such significant decisions.
Adding further weight to the opposition, Fred Emojong, representing Kwapa Sub-County, recalled a similar motion from 2005 that had been passed but never implemented. “In 2005, the council voted 20 to 19 in favor of dividing the district. Revisiting this matter without proper authority is misleading,” Emojong stated.
As debates intensified, District Speaker Better Cheria was compelled to adjourn the meeting three times before ultimately postponing discussions until the next sitting. This decision received widespread support from councillors who felt that further consultation was crucial.
In a follow-up interview, Eredet remained steadfast in his belief that efficient service delivery necessitates division. “As a former chairperson for works and technical services, I witnessed firsthand the challenges of managing a district this vast. Dividing Tororo is the only way to ensure equitable development,” he asserted.
The proposed division has long been a source of animosity between the Iteso and Japadhola communities, both accusing each other of marginalization. With no consensus in sight, the next council meeting is expected to further ignite this divisive debate.