Ugandan taxpayers will further be burdened after Parliament Thursday passed a motion for creation of new 47 counties across the country that will also have representatives in the next parliament.
The motion to create new counties was moved by the Minister for Local Government Raphael Magyezi.
Among the new counties that approved by parliament include; Kapir, Butiru, Kioga North, Bokora East, Napore West, Mawogola West, Otuke East, Ruhama East, Isingiro West, T’oo county, Ochero, Soi county, Namisindwa, Gweri, Pingire, Bunghoko Central, Aringa East, Kyaka Central, Ruhinda South, Bushigai, Gogonyo, Busiki North, West Budama North East, Maruzi North, Dodoth North, Rwampara East, Buhaguzi East, Nwoya East, Namayengo South, Elgon North and Samia-Bugwe South.
Others are Kiboga West, Buhweju West, Bugangaizi South, Chkwi East, Bulandacounty , Kwania North, Kagoma North, Buwekula South, Buyanja East, Ngariam, Agago West, Bukanga North, Bukimbiri and Nakaseke Central.
Uganda now has 296 Constituency Representatives, 124 District Women Representatives, 10 Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces Representatives, 5 Representatives of the Youth, 5 Representatives of Persons with Disabilities, 5 Representatives of Workers and 12 Ex Officio members.
In total, Uganda will now have 457 MPs. With an estimated population of 44 million people, it means each MP is representing an average of 96,280 people.
The new Counties were approved amid protest from Kampala Central MP, Mohammed Nsereko, who noted that the creation of new Constituencies will mainly burden taxpayers in the Kampala and the surrounding districts.
80% of Uganda Revenue Authority’s tax collections come from Kampala and its surroundings.
Nsereko wanted Kampala to be given more constituencies basing on its large population.
He stated that some of the areas where new constituencies are created have few populations compared to Kampala with less than nine MPs.
His plea was rejected by Parliament on grounds that KCCA did not pass a resolution for the creation of new counties in Kampala.
