Minister Raphael Magyezi explainging a point
By George Bukenya
Minister Raphael Magyezi has announced that LC1 and women council elections are planned to take place between April and May 2026, depending on the availability of funding.
Magyezi made the announcement while speaking to the Parliament’s Committee on Local Government and Public Service, he said the Ministry of Finance is in the process of mobilising the necessary funds, after which the Electoral Commission Uganda will issue a detailed electoral roadmap.
“The elections will be conducted using the lining-up method, as provided for under Section 123(2) of the Local Government Act,” Magyezi said.
He further stressed the need to address the leadership gap at the village level, saying such lower level leadership is very important in many aspects for instance keeping law and order in the respective areas.
“The LC1 polls form part of a broader government plan to harmonise the tenure of local leaders with that of President Yoweri Museveni and Parliament. The move is intended to establish a unified five-year governance cycle beginning in May 2026,’’ the Minister asserted.
Nkoyoyo Kiwana the Chairman of Kasaato Zone in Kisenyi I Parish wondered why government has delayed to mobilize the funds required organizing the elections yet such leadership is crucial.
He urged government also to consider paying the LCI officials at least a token because they are doing a great job in mobilization and keeping law and order in their respective communities and that if they are paid even crimes will reduce.
A government official who preferred to remain anonymous said, aligning the elections will also help reduce costs by allowing them to be conducted alongside other general electoral processes.