The State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Henry Oryem Okello, has called for the creation of a new district, Chua East, to be carved out of Kitgum District.
Speaking after his nomination to contest as the Member of Parliament for Chua East constituency under the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Oryem highlighted the numerous challenges facing the area, including wildlife invasions and Karimojong cattle raids.
Oryem, who was also a son of the late Gen. Tito Okello Lutwa, the former President, emphasised that the distance from the Kitgum district headquarters, which is over 100 kilometres from the last village, has hindered proper service delivery to the people of Chua East. He believes that creating a new district will address these issues and enable the area to administer its own affairs.
“The only way to solve the problem is by getting a new district, which should be named Chua East District,” he said. According to Oryem, the lack of a local district headquarters has contributed to the area’s underdevelopment.
He promised to push for the creation of the new district once elected, citing it as a key priority for the people of Chua East.
He said residents of Chua East have faced numerous challenges, including wildlife invasions and cattle raids, which have negatively impacted their livelihoods. “
The proposed Chua East District would enable the area to receive more focused attention and resources, potentially improving the delivery of services and addressing the community’s pressing needs,” Oryem mentioned.
Oryem will be competing with John Clavin Okoya, who is contesting as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections, having defeated him in the NRM primary election.
Also in the same race to become the area Member of Parliament is Jonathan Onencan, contesting under the Democratic Front party.
The three are contesting to replace Margaret Lamwaka Odwar, who has since shifted to contest for the Kitgum District Woman Member of Parliament against the incumbent, Lillian Aber of the National Resistance Movement, who doubles as the State Minister of Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees, and Roseline Alanya Olobo of the Uganda People’s Congress.
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