Bugahya County MP, Pius Rujumba Wakabi, has urged the Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to allocate the necessary funds for conducting elections for administrative units and women councils during the 2026 general elections.
His appeal follows Parliament’s approval of a statutory instrument issued by the Ministry of Local Government, which extends the tenure of Local Council 1, Local Council 2, and Women Councils by an additional 180 days.
MP Wakabi emphasized that these extensions stem from financial constraints faced by the Finance Ministry. “Since these delays are solely due to inadequate funding, the Ministry must assure this House that they will comply with the Cabinet’s directive and the Committee’s recommendations,” he stated.
As Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government, Wakabi highlighted that the last elections for local administrative units were conducted in 2018. He reiterated the Cabinet’s directive to align these elections with the general elections, starting in 2026.
“If the Minister for Local Government follows the regulations, two more extensions will be required before the 2026 elections. This means Uganda will have gone eight years without electing Local Council 1 and 2 leaders,” he added.
Conducting these elections alongside the general elections is expected to save the government approximately Shs39.1 billion.
Several legislators expressed concern over the poor remuneration of Local Councils and Women Councils.
Fort Portal City Woman Representative, Irene Linda, called for an increase in the ex-gratia payments for LC1 leaders in the 2025/2026 national budget.
“They do crucial work, resolving many community disputes despite lacking formal legal training. We should also consider training them to manage village-level legal matters more effectively,” she noted.
Bugiri Municipality MP, Asuman Basalirwa, pointed out that the Shs10,000 allowance meant for LC1 chairpersons is often delayed.
“I fully support improving the welfare of Local Councils. Many MPs have been approached by LC1 leaders asking when they will receive their payments,” Basalirwa said.
Aswa County MP, Simon Peter Wokorach, urged the Ministry of Local Government to address the remuneration of LC leaders in newly created administrative units.
“We have LC1 executives operating in an acting capacity. What plan does the Ministry have for these officials in newly established villages?” he inquired.
In response, State Minister for Local Government, Victoria Businge, clarified that some of these new villages lack official recognition.
“These villages are not coded, nor do they have formal instruments from the Ministry. In some cases, the Electoral Commission created polling stations for elections, leading community members to form unofficial villages, which are not recognized by the Ministry of Local Government,” she explained.
busiinge@ghettopost.com
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