Story by Osuta Yusuf
Maracha District, 7th December 2024
The Maracha District Council has tactfully distanced itself from a proposal by some elders, politicians, and opinion leaders in Maracha Constituency to create a municipality by merging Agaii Town Council, Okokoro Town Council, and Ovujo Town Council ahead of the February 2026 general elections.

Background
Maracha District, established in 2010 with seven sub-counties, was split into two constituencies—Maracha Constituency and Maracha East Constituency—in 2016. Subsequent administrative reorganization in 2021 saw Maracha Constituency divided into eight sub-counties and Maracha East Constituency expanded to eleven sub-counties.
The proposal for a municipality emerged from a meeting held on 9th November 2024 at Otravu Primary School, attended by 19 participants, including elders and local leaders. Resolutions from the meeting included:
- Merging the three town councils due to their historical and geographical ties.
- Establishing Ovujo as the municipal headquarters, leveraging its historical infrastructure.
- Consulting neighboring cells and sub-counties for potential inclusion.
The meeting also established a technical committee chaired by Mr. Tivu Mark and deputized by Mr. Olubo Tom Magara, with additional members to oversee the municipality proposal.

Council’s Response
During the 2nd Ordinary Council Sitting on 6th December 2024, a motion seeking the approval of Ovujo Municipality was presented but met strong resistance. Hon. Ariaka Vincent, Maracha District Male Youth Councilor, argued against the proposal, citing insufficient revenue bases among the three town councils (Agaii, Okokoro, and Ovujo). According to him, the financial resources generated annually by these units are inadequate to sustain municipality status.
Council Debate and Deferral
The motion sparked heated debate in the district council hall. Speaker of the Maracha District Council, Rt. Hon. Wani Emmanuel, ultimately deferred the motion, citing procedural guidelines. Referring to the “Standard Rules of Procedure for Local Councils in Uganda,” specifically Rule 27, Sub-rule 6, Hon. Wani ruled that the proposal could not be debated further under the current session’s framework.

Quotes from Key Figures
- Hon. Ariaka Vincent, District Councilor:
“The taxes collected by these three administrative units every financial year are insufficient to sustain a municipality. Elevation to municipality status requires a stronger revenue base, which these areas currently lack.” - Rt. Hon. Wani Emmanuel, District Speaker:
“Under Rule 27, general rules of motions, Sub-rule number 6 of the Local Councils Act, the motion does not meet the necessary standards for debate.”
Next Steps
The proposal has been referred back to the technical committee for further review and consultation. As the 2026 elections approach, the district council remains cautious, emphasizing the need for thorough analysis and community involvement before any decision is made.
Residents and stakeholders continue to await clarity on the future of the proposed Ovujo Municipality and its implications for regional development and governance.