KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ugandan government has approved the creation of nine new town councils, effective July 1, 2025, ahead of the 2026 general elections. This move comes despite a five-year reluctance to establish new administrative units due to funding concerns.
Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi informed Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama in a July 1, 2025, letter that the new town councils are a direct result of regional cities created in 2020. Those cities absorbed the headquarters of their “mother” districts, forcing the districts to relocate to existing sub-counties.
The newly approved town councils include:
Awach Town Council in Gulu District, comprising Pugwinyi, Pageya, Paduny, Gwengdiya and Bureoro wards.
Kagoma Town Council in Jinja District, comprising Kagoma, Magamaga, Buweera, Kaiira and Kitanaba wards.
Mbale Town Council in Mbale District, comprising Busoba, Bumasikye, Bunambutye and Bunanimi wards.
Busoro Town Council in Kabale District, comprising Busoro, Kaswa and Kirere wards.
Kyanamukkaka Town Council in Masaka District, comprising Kyantale Kamuzinda, Buyinja and Buyaga wards, among others.
Kitoba Town Council in Hoima District.
Ogur Town Council in Lira District.
Katine Town Council in Soroti District.
Vurra Town Council in Arua District, comprising Ezuku, Tilevu, Ringili, Opia, Nyio, Kuluva, Eruba, Ayavu Anzuu and Ajono wards.
Magyezi clarified that the government is not creating entirely new entities but rather converting existing sub-counties into town councils, as required by law when a district headquarters is established.
“The law requires that where a district headquarters is created, it has to be a town council,” Magyezi said in an interview. “So, we are not creating new entities as such, we are taking the entire sub-county to become a town council. These are units with administrative structures and staff.”
The minister added that the government has allocated 1 billion Ugandan shillings (about $265,000 USD) to each district affected by the creation of regional cities to construct their headquarters. He noted that more funds would be sought from the Finance Ministry if needed.
The creation of new administrative units in Uganda has historically aimed to bring services closer to the populace, though many have faced financial and staffing challenges. In 2019, 364 sub-counties and 352 town councils were approved but took nearly two years to become operational due to lack of funds. Many still operate in rented premises and lack adequate resources.
For Masaka District, the elevation of Kyanamukkaka to a town council paves the way for it to host the district headquarters, a long-held desire of veteran politician and former Vice President Edward Ssekandi, who hails from the area. This is despite the district council having unanimously voted for Buwunga Sub-county, where construction of offices is already underway.
Robert Tumwesigye, a Masaka District youth councilor, hailed the development as a significant victory. “We are going to get improved health services and Kyanamukkaka Health Centre IV is going to be elevated to a district hospital; our dream has finally come to pass,” Tumwesigye said.
Cyrus Kalema, the chairperson of Kyanamukkaka Sub-county, expressed optimism that the new unit would improve service delivery but voiced concern about its ability to generate sufficient revenue.
