By URN
President Yoweri Museveni has heeded the calls of the people of Oyam District and pledged to the creation of Aber District.
The “declaration” came after the majority of the crowds attending a presidential campaign rally at Oyam Boma Grounds voted for “Aber District” in favor of good roads.
For the last 15 years, both civil and political leaders have demanded the creation of a new district- Aber whose formal request submissions were made in 2011, 2018, and 2023.
The President, who had earlier confirmed receiving requests from Lango, especially leaders from Oyam, about the creation of a new district from Oyam, “surrendered” to the demand.
Earlier during the rally, Bosco Onyik Ogwal, the NRM chairperson for Oyam District, re-echoed the request, saying Oyam as a district is so large.
Similarly, Willy Omodo Omodo, the NRM’s flag bearer for Oyam North Constituency, emphasized the need for a new district carved from Oyam.
“Oyam North alone has 674 villages, yet an entire district like Alebtong has just 600. If there’s funding for new districts elsewhere, why not here?” he asked.
Beatrice Amongi Lagada, a former member of parliament who believed the district should have been granted years ago, took to social media, thanking the president for the development.
“We are thankful that today, after 15 years since Aber District was first demanded by the people of Oyam, it has finally been declared as granted! The footwork to have it actualized remains, hence the need to have MPs who will do the needful.” She wrote.
However, some critics have described the move as a political stunt that will not be factionalized anytime soon.
In 2011, the Oyam district council passed a resolution demanding the new district of Kamdini with its headquarters at Aber Sub-County. The council resolution followed a series of meetings held by the residents of Aber, Loro, Minakulu, Myene, and Kamdini Sub-Counties at Aber Technical Schools.
Oyam district currently has 11 sub-counties and five town councils with a total population of 477,464 residents; 224,158 males and 253,306 females, according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) 2024 report.
Article 179 of Uganda’s Constitution provides for the creation of new districts in consultation with the cabinet and approval by Parliament, and in accordance with the Town and Country Planning Act.
