As National Resistance Movement (NRM) Presidential Candidate Yoweri Kaguta Museveni prepares to hold his afternoon rally in Yumbe District today, residents and local leaders have outlined key demands they expect him to address.
These include, among others, the creation of three more districts out of Yumbe; a pronouncement of the government’s position on the escalating border conflict between Uganda and South Sudan in the sub-counties of Kochi, Kei, Kerwa, and Midigo, which has caused loss of lives and property; and the improvement of social and economic infrastructure.
With a population of 1,175,000 people, 1,000 villages, and 26 sub-counties, Yumbe is one of Uganda’s most populous districts.
The district is also the largest refugee-hosting district in Uganda. According to the 2024 UBOS report, out of the total population of 1,175,000 people, 199,000 are refugees and 972,000 belong to the host community.
The district’s economy is largely driven by agriculture, but its large population has led residents to cultivate land near the borders with South Sudan—particularly in the sub-counties of Koch—sparking tensions between the two countries.
Recently, a border conflict claimed the lives of four Ugandan civilians, led to the abduction of three others who remain missing, and resulted in the death of one UPDF soldier. The conflict also claimed the lives of five security personnel from South Sudan.
The proposed new districts—Bidi Bidi District, Dacha District, and Midigo District—stem from council resolutions made in 2017, 2020, and 2022, respectively.
With Yumbe hosting a large refugee population, residents are demanding increased government support to address food insecurity and resource competition caused by the refugee influx. The recent cut in refugee rations has worsened the situation, with many refugees now relying heavily on local resources.
