President Museveni Proposes Compromise to End Tororo Ethnic Dispute

State House Entebbe- President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has proposed a landmark compromise to resolve the long-standing conflict between the Japadhola and Iteso communities over the status and control of Tororo Town.

During a high-level meeting held today at State House, Entebbe, the President suggested elevating Tororo Municipality to city status, designating it as a neutral administrative unit. Additionally, he proposed the creation of three new districts to equitably accommodate both ethnic groups.

The meeting was attended by Vice President H.E. Jessica Alupo, as well as leaders and representatives from both communities who have historically been at odds over the governance of Tororo.

“We have agreed in principle: Tororo becomes a neutral city, and three new districts will be established—Mukuju, Mulanda, and a third one whose name should be neutral,” President Museveni announced. “Some have proposed the name Tororo for the new district, but we have said no—go and find a neutral name.”

The President urged both groups to engage in calm and private dialogue over the naming of the third district. “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,” he added.

As per the proposed arrangement, the Iteso community would retain Mukuju—an uncontested area—and benefit from the services of the neutral Tororo City. The Japadhola community would be allocated two districts, Mulanda and the unnamed third district.

President Museveni emphasized that the proposed structure aims to ensure fairness and restore balance between the communities. “The compromise is that the Badama get two new districts, and the Bateso get one district and a city—just like Mbale has both a district and a city. Tororo can do the same,” he explained.

He criticized the prolonged ethnic disputes that have delayed regional development. “You people are wasting time for your own communities. What matters is bringing services closer to the people. That’s why we subdivided large districts like Bukedi into smaller, more accessible units,” he said.

Quoting scripture and sharing personal experiences, the President warned against divisive politics based on land ownership and ethnicity. “I used to be a Mulokole until 1965. We used to say: ‘They left undone what they ought to have done, and they did what they ought not to have done.’ That is what you’ve been doing,” he said.

He also cited the Biblical story of Abraham to advocate for peaceful coexistence: “When herdsmen quarreled over land, Abraham said, ‘If you go east, I’ll go west.’ That’s the kind of wisdom we need today.”

Museveni called for a shift in focus from ownership to service delivery. “Even if the whole of Tororo Town went to the Bateso—so what? What matters is service, not ownership,” he asserted. “When we came to government, people raised old colonial boundary disputes, like parts of Rakai being in Buganda. I said, forget it—I’m not interested in those distractions.”

He stressed that the conflict over the name “Tororo” should not derail the broader goal of unity and development. “We should not get stuck on the name. What matters most is wealth creation, not the name itself,” he said. “If Tororo remains as the city name, let the new district get a neutral name. That should not divide us.”

Challenging the idea of exclusive claims to the name Tororo, the President reminded both groups that the region belongs to all its people. “How can both groups insist on naming their district Tororo? This place is home to both communities,” he said.

He reiterated that the main objective of Uganda’s decentralization policy is to bring services closer to the people—not to inflame ethnic tensions. “Let’s not allow the name of a place to become more important than our people’s wellbeing.”

Concluding his remarks, President Museveni acknowledged a positive shift in the tone of the discussions and urged leaders to continue their consultations and communicate their decisions through the Vice President. “At least now we’re seeing progress. Finally, the Bateso have said, ‘Let’s be mutual instead of fighting over Tororo.’ That’s encouraging.”

Vice President Alupo also addressed the gathering, presenting a detailed compromise plan following a consultative meeting with both communities on April 22, 2025. She confirmed that a consensus had been reached to elevate Tororo Municipality to city status, composed of Tororo North and South constituencies.

She also announced the elevation of Kwapa Town Council to municipal status and the creation of Mulanda District from Budama Central and Budama South. Additionally, Nagongera Town Council would be upgraded to a municipality, and a new district would be formed in the eastern part of the region. Its boundaries and name would be determined through mutual consultation.

Hon. Jacob Oboth Oboth, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, praised the Vice President’s role in facilitating dialogue. “Yesterday, both sides met her and gave their stand. Thank you, Vice President, for your leadership,” he said.

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