Tension as Parliament Defers Debate on Motion to Create New Counties

The motion for consideration of new counties has been deferred amidst rising tension among interested parties. 

Last week, cabinet approved the creation of 15 new counties ahead of the 2021 General polls. The new counties are; Kiboga West, Buhweju West, Bugangaizi South, Chkwi East, Bulanda, Kwania North, Kagoma North and Buwekula South. Others are; Buyanja East, Ngariam, Agago West, Bukanga North, Bukimbiri and Nakaseke Central.

On Tuesday, Minister of Local Government Raphael Magyezi presented the motion for creation of the above mentioned counties. 

However, Speaker of Parliament Rebecca Kadaga deferred debate on the motion to allow the minister consult on all the other requests for counties following several complaints from other MPs.

"I give the minister two weeks to work on this and report back, " Kadaga said. 

Some MPs raised concerns that some counties had been omitted from the list presented, while others questioned the criteria used by the Ministry to create counties. 

Aruu South MP Odonga Otto on the other hand asked Parliament to consider suspending the forthcoming general elections and not creating new counties.
Once approved by Parliament, the new counties will take effect from 01 July 2020.

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