Minister Jim Muhwezi Vows to Push for the Split of Rujumbura Constituency
Rukungiri: The Minister for Security and Member of Parliament for Rujumbura County, Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, has vowed to ensure that the Government of Uganda splits Rujumbura Constituency which has 47 parishes into two for better service delivery.
Minister Muhwezi made the remarks on November 18, while launching his campaign rallies in Masya Parish, Kyakagyeme Sub-county, where he held meetings in the cells of Nyakahanga A and B, Shongora, Mabungo, Rwamunyinyo, Munyeganyegye, Kanyabihara, Nyabugando, Kashenyi, and Burambira.
He explained that Rujumbura is too large, even bigger than some districts such as Rukiga and Mitooma. He noted that Mitooma District has three constituencies, yet Rujumbura County remains one vast constituency, a situation he said has existed for many years.
Rujumbura County comprises five sub-counties, Nyakagyeme, Ruhinda, Bwambara, Bugangari, and Buhunga and two town councils, Rwerere and Bikurungu, making a total of 47 parishes.
CUE IN….JIM ON SPLITTING…RR
According to Minister Muhwezi, splitting the constituency into two would improve service delivery at the grassroots. He accused the Member of Parliament who represented the area in 2016 of “sleeping on duty” when the government created new administrative units such as districts, sub-counties, town councils, and parishes, saying that Rujumbura missed out on that opportunity.
He explained that in 2016, Rukungiri District had 16 sub-counties and town councils, while Kanungu had only 9. Today, Kanungu has 27 sub-counties and town councils, while Rukungiri remains at 16.
Muhwezi added that this imbalance has caused unfair distribution of resources. He noted that a parish in Kanungu with only three cells receives the same UGX 100 million for the Parish Development Model (PDM) as a parish in Rujumbura with up to 21 cells.
The minister said that splitting the constituency would also support the establishment of essential services such as a primary school in every parish, a Health Centre III in each sub-county, and a secondary school in every sub-county.
CUE IN…..JIM ON ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS…RR