Tororo to Become a City as Museveni Moves to End Ethnic Dispute

President Yoweri Museveni has announced a landmark decision to elevate Tororo Municipality to city status and divide the surrounding area into three districts, in a bid to resolve a long-running conflict between the Japadhola and Iteso communities.

During a high-level meeting held at State House Entebbe on Wednesday, Museveni proposed that the new city remain a neutral administrative unit, with three additional districts—Mukuju, Mulanda, and a yet-to-be-named third district—established to accommodate both ethnic groups.

The President emphasized that while the Iteso community would retain Mukuju and share in the new Tororo City, the Japadhola would be given Mulanda and the unnamed district. He urged leaders to resolve naming disagreements peacefully.

“You don’t have to fight. Discuss among yourselves quietly. But it’s not correct to say you’re going to die over a name,” Museveni said.

Vice President Jessica Alupo, who facilitated discussions between the groups, confirmed that both communities had reached consensus on the compromise. The plan also includes elevating Kwapa and Nagongera Town Councils to municipalities, further promoting service accessibility.

Museveni criticized the decades-old ethnic disputes as distractions that have delayed development in the region. He underscored that decentralization’s true purpose is to improve service delivery, not deepen ethnic rifts.

“We should not get stuck on the name Tororo. What matters most is wealth creation, not the name itself,” the President stated.

The event was attended by cultural leaders, ministers, and key stakeholders from both communities. With this new arrangement, Tororo is set to transform administratively—potentially ending a conflict that has spanned generations