Cabinet has approved the creation of 15 New Counties in a move that will see the number of MPs raise to 473.
A resolution to create new counties was passed in meeting that sat on Monday June 22nd at State House Entebbe.
The new counties include: Kiboga West, Buhweju West, Lamwo West, Bugangayizi South, Chekwi East, Mulanda, Buwekula South, Kwania South, Kagoma North, Buyanja East, Ngariam, Agago West, Bukanga North, Bukimbiri and Nakaseke Central.
If approved by parliament, the new counties will start operating next year and parliament will have additional 15 new seats raising the number of MPs to 473 altogether with 11 ex-officials.
New counties are created in line with article 179(4) of the Constitution that provides for creation of administrative units including counties and Section 7(7) which empowers Parliament to approve alteration of boundaries for creation of a new county.
However, there has been a longstanding debate over creation of new administrative units with sections of the public citing political interests in the matter and the pressures of a bloated parliament.
Each MP is entitled to a free car worth more than Shs200 millions and a monthly consolidated pay of about Shs20 million (depending on the distance) including other expenses.
In July 2015, parliament approved 39 new constituencies after government tabled a similar proposal as resolved in cabinet.
While presenting the motion in parliament, the then Local Government minister Hon. Adolf Mwesigye said in creating the new constituencies, cabinet was responding to the wishes of the people to ensure effective administration and to bring the services closer to them.
