By Vicent Emong
The Kumi District Council has passed a resolution seeking the creation of new administrative units, including the proposed Kanyum District, Ongino County, and the upgrading of Atutur Sub-county into a town council.
During an emergency council sitting, the district executive committee presented a report on the proposed divisions.
The motion, moved by the Leader of Council Business, Sam Akol, emphasized the growing population as the key reason for restructuring.
“Statistics show that Uganda’s population more than doubles every ten years. This rapid growth increases demand for services and strains the existing administrative units. Therefore, there is an urgent need to create more units to effectively serve the people,” Akol said.
He added that the district executive had reviewed minutes from several lower local governments, including Nyero Town Council, Nyero Sub-county, and Ogooma Sub-county, all of which supported the idea.
According to Akol, the lower local councils are also advocating for the establishment of new sub-counties, town councils, town boards, parishes, and villages, alongside the creation of Kanyum District and the new counties of Ongino and Mukongoro.
The emergency sitting was convened to ensure the council had an official resolution ready for inclusion in a memorandum to be presented to the President during his visit to Kumi District on November 5, 2025, at Wiggins Secondary School Grounds, where he is expected to hold campaign rallies.
Kumi District Woman MP, Christine Apolot, applauded the council for passing the resolution, saying it would enhance service delivery and bring government closer to the people.
“Kumi District remains very large despite the creation of Ngora and Bukedea districts. There is still a clear need to further subdivide it to ease service delivery and administration,” Apolot noted.
State Minister for Energy, Sidronious Okaasai Opolot, who is also chairing the memorandum drafting committee, supported the move, arguing that Kumi County is too vast and should be divided.
“Like Tororo, which was granted additional districts and constituencies, Kumi also deserves the same consideration due to its growing population. Once the proposal is submitted to the Ministry of Local Government, I will personally follow it up to ensure it reaches the higher levels,” Okaasai assured.
District Speaker David Tukei confirmed that the council unanimously resolved to push for the creation of new administrative units in light of the increasing population and limited resources.
Meanwhile, Chief Administrative Officer John Stephen Kasadha stated that his office is ready to provide the necessary technical expertise to support the implementation process once approval is granted.
According to the latest statistics, Kumi District has a total population of 298,992 people, a figure that continues to grow rapidly, putting pressure on the existing administrative structures.
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