The failure by the Ministry of Local Government to resolve a boundary conflict between Kabarole and Ntoroko districts is affecting the delivery of services.
Ntoroko district inherited the border dispute between Bundibugyo and Kabarole districts dating back to 2008, with each district claiming ownership of some villages along the border. Ntoroko was curved out of Bundibugyo in 2010.
Kabarole district now claims the villages are in Kichwamba Sub County while Ntoroko insists they are part of Karugutu Sub County.
The villages are Busaiga, Mabale and Bulyambuzi in Kihondo parish, Kinyamisigiri, Kinyamanyege in Nyantaboma parish and Nyankuku and Nyabibwa in Bwanika parish.
In 2009, the Ministry of Local Government promised to resolve the conflict but nothing has been done since.
This has affected the service delivery in the two districts. In June during the 2011/2012 budgetary estimates, both districts did not include the villages in their plans, because they don’t know where they belong.
Juma Nyende, the Chief Administrative Officer Kabarole says that the authorities in Kichwamba Sub County were told not to budget for the villages until the issue has been resolved.
In Busaiga village, Kabarole district had planned to construct four boreholes and a market for traders, but the plan was halted because of the confusion.
Gertrude Mbambu, a resident of Busaiga village says that residents are forced to travel seven kilometers for water and to Kichwamba town market to sell their merchandize.
The conflict has also affected the law enforcement officers from both the districts as they often clash about who should collect the dues from Mabale and Bulyambuzi markets. Traders are also confused about where to pay the licenses.
Charles Businge, the Kichwamba Sub County Chief says that some local council chairpersons are also not carrying out their duties because they don’t know whom to report to.
Businge notes that the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) programme in Kihondo and Bwanika parishes has been halted until the conflict has been resolved, because the sub county authorities don’t know where the beneficiaries come from.
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When contacted, Adolf Mwesige, the Minister of Local Government refused to comment on the matter. Mwesige said that he is not comfortable discussing the matter with the media.
