The local government minister met with Obongi district leaders regarding the Palorinya sub-county dispute.
Among the delegation who met with the Minister included: the area MP Dr. Boka George Didi, Woman MP for Obongi Hon. Maneno Zumura, District Chairperson Haji Abib Buga Khemis, RDC Samuel Mpimbaza, Speaker Okunzi Luis Drale, secretaries for gender Gasia Fatuma, works Azubu Michael, and production Jumbo Ahmed at the minister’s office in Kampala.
The Minister discussed district affairs with the Obongi leaders, including the confusion stirred by a few selfish politicians clandestinely advocating for Palorinya sub-county to secede from Obongi to Moyo district using suspected tribalism and sectarianism.
They also deliberated on improving service delivery in Obongi district. Hon. Raphael Magyezi, the Minister of Local Government, emphasized that it’s not the time for creating administrative units but rather focusing on enhancing service delivery.
He condemned the use of tribalism in the Palorinya saga, labeling it illegal and inhuman, and insisted that those promoting it should face appropriate consequences.
The Minister, thanking the Obongi leaders for handling the Palorinya sub-county saga maturely and peacefully, promised to visit Obongi to address the problem properly.
The Obongi leaders presented a memorandum to the Minister, read by the district Chairperson Hajji Buga Khemis Buga.
The meeting was also attended by the commissioner in charge of local governments, Swizin Mugyema, who apologized for the technical staff from the Ministry of Local Government’s visit to Palorinya sub-county without involving district leaders, promising it wouldn’t happen again.
Errors in the memorandum included falsely claiming that the Madi are marginalized and stating that Obongi district has composed its own anthem and logo.
The memorandum, generated after consulting leaders and wanainchi, reveals that Obongi annually receives a lion’s share of the Obongi district budget and central government special funds, including DRDIP, health centers, schools, roads, poverty alleviation funds, and the over 3 billion shillings resource center and Ndirindiri market under USMID completed within one financial year and soon to be commissioned by Obongi district.
The meeting of the Minister of Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magezi, with MPs, RDC, and the district executive committee of Obongi DLG, led by the district chairman and speaker regarding the petition on Palorinya sub-county becoming part of Moyo District Local Government, was indeed successful.
The minister provided guidance to the district leaders on the government’s position on the court ruling and outlined a roadmap for comprehensive consultations with key stakeholders in Obongi and Moyo district to advise cabinet, Parliament, and the Court on the matter before the constitutional Court.
The roadmap for the consultative processes will span from July to September 2024 before a report can be submitted to cabinet, Parliament, and Court. However, he appealed to the leaders and people of Obongi, Palorinya, and Moyo district to remain calm and allow the Ministry of Local Government and the Office of the Attorney General to guide the process to a logical conclusion.
This Author must in suspect of sidelining.