IT’S OVER! Museveni Brokers Historic Deal Between Iteso and Japadhola, Announces Three New Districts and City

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has announced a landmark compromise aimed at resolving the decades-long conflict between the Iteso and Japadhola communities over the status and control of Tororo Town.

During a high-level meeting held today at State House, Entebbe, President Museveni proposed elevating Tororo Municipality to city status, designating it as a neutral administrative entity.

He also revealed the creation of three new districts: Mukuju, Mulanda, and a third one yet to be named, to accommodate the interests of both communities.

The meeting, attended by Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo and leaders from both ethnic groups, marked a turning point in a dispute that has hindered development and strained relations in the region for years.

“We have agreed in principle that Tororo becomes a neutral city. We shall create three new districts: Mukuju, Mulanda, and a third one whose name must be neutral. Some people want to call it Tororo, but we’re saying no, go and find a neutral name,” President Museveni stated.

He encouraged both communities to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue when choosing the name for the third district.

“You don’t have to fight. Sit down and discuss quietly. It is not right to fight over a name,” he cautioned.

According to the President’s proposal, the Iteso community would retain Mukuju, an uncontested area, and also share in the neutral Tororo City.

The Japadhola community, on the other hand, would receive two districts, Mulanda and the third district, pending a mutually agreed name.

Museveni emphasized that this structure would promote fairness and restore harmony.

“This is a fair compromise: the Badama (Japadhola) get two new districts, and the Bateso (Iteso) get one district plus the city. It’s the same model we used in Mbale, which has both Mbale District and Mbale City. Tororo can do the same,” he explained.

He criticized the long-standing ethnic rivalry as counterproductive, warning that it has delayed development and service delivery in the region.

“You are wasting valuable time. What matters is bringing services closer to the people. That’s why we broke up larger districts like Bukedi into smaller ones like Pallisa and Busia,” the President noted.

Drawing from scripture and his personal experiences, Museveni cautioned against divisive politics based on land and ethnicity.

“I was a Mulokole until 1965. We used to say: ‘They left undone what they ought to have done, and did what they ought not to have done, and there is no truth in them.’ That’s exactly what you’ve been doing,” he said.

He cited the biblical story of Abraham’s herdsmen quarreling over land, emphasizing the need for wisdom and compromise.

“Abraham said: If you go east, I’ll go west; if you go west, I’ll go east. That is the spirit we need now.”

The President urged the communities to focus on the bigger picture, national unity and improved livelihoods.

“Even if the entire Tororo Town went to the Bateso, so what? The real issue is service delivery, not ownership,” he said.

He recalled past attempts to stir colonial-era boundary disputes, such as those involving parts of Rakai in Buganda, and dismissed them as distractions.

“I told them I’m not interested in those debates. What we need is development, not divisions.”

On the naming debate, the President insisted that the name “Tororo” should remain with the city and not be used for the new district.

“Tororo is already a known name. Let the town retain it. The new district should have a different, neutral name. That should not divide us.”

He questioned the rationale behind both groups demanding exclusive rights to the name.

“How can both sides insist on naming a district Tororo? This area is home to both communities.”

Highlighting the broader goals of Uganda’s decentralization policy, Museveni reiterated that the aim of creating new districts is to enhance service delivery, not to deepen ethnic divisions.

“Let us not allow a name to become more important than the well-being of our people,” he said.

He concluded by praising the leaders for showing signs of compromise and urged them to finalize consultations and communicate their final decisions through the Vice President.

“At least now, you’re starting to be balanced. Finally, the Bateso have said, ‘Let’s be mutual instead of fighting over Tororo.’ That’s progress.”

Vice President Alupo presented a detailed compromise plan following a consultative meeting with both communities on April 22, 2025.

She confirmed that both groups had agreed to elevate Tororo Municipality to city status, encompassing the current Tororo North and South constituencies.

Kwapa Town Council, she revealed, would be elevated to a municipality, while Mulanda District would be carved out of Budama Central and Budama South. Similarly, Nagongera Town Council would also attain municipal status.

Alupo also confirmed plans for a third district in the eastern part of the area, with its boundaries and name to be finalized through mutual consultation.

Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, applauded the Vice President for her leadership.

“Yesterday, both sides met her and presented their positions. I thank her again today. Thank you, Vice President, for your leadership,” he said.

Also in attendance were His Royal Highness Kwar Adhola Moses Stephen Owor, cultural leader of the Japadhola; Emorimor Papa Paul Sande Emolot, cultural leader of the Iteso; Hon. Hellen Grace Asamo, Minister of State for Disability Affairs; Dr. Tanga Odoi, NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson; and other religious and cultural leaders.