Uganda Postpones Local Council Elections to 2025/2026

Summary:

• The Ugandan government has postponed LC1 and LC2 elections to align with the 2025/2026 general elections, extending officials’ terms by six months. The move aims to harmonize the electoral cycle but has faced criticism from opposition leaders and civil society, who accuse the government of undermining democracy and delaying much-needed grassroots leadership reforms.

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The elections for Local Councils 1 (LC1) and 2 (LC2) have been postponed and will now align with the 2025/2026 general elections. This decision, announced by the Ministry of Local Government through General Notice No. 2827 of 2024, extends the term of office for LC1 and LC2 officials by six months from December 31, 2024.

The notice states: “Pursuant to Regulation 12(d) of the Local Government Councils Regulations, the term of office for administrative unit councils expiring on 30th December 2024 is extended for a period not exceeding 180 days from 31st December 2024.”

In an interview, the Minister of State for National Guidance, Mr. Godfrey Kabyanga, confirmed that the extension is intended to harmonize Uganda’s electoral cycle. “We aim to conduct all elections within the same year for consistency and to minimize disruptions,” he explained.

The plan, which was approved by Cabinet three weeks ago, awaits parliamentary endorsement. According to Mr. Kabyanga, the broader objective is to establish a unified five-year term for councils and leaders, reducing the annual election schedule that has inconvenienced citizens in the past.

The decision followed an October 21 Cabinet meeting where the Minister of Local Government, Mr. Raphael Magyezi, was tasked with preparing a proposal on LC elections and the creation of new administrative units. However, the Cabinet paper remains in development.

Mr. Kabyanga dismissed claims that funding shortages were the primary reason for the postponement, emphasizing that synchronizing the electoral calendar is the main goal.

Criticism and Concerns

The move has sparked criticism from opposition leaders and civil society. Mr. Matthias Mpuuga, Democratic Alliance leader and former Leader of the Opposition, called the extension a form of political manipulation. “This is political fraud. The government is avoiding accountability while local councils face daily challenges like poor service delivery and rampant land grabbing,” he remarked.

Mr. Henry Muguzi, Executive Director of the Alliance for Campaign Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), condemned the postponement as a denial of citizens’ rights. “This raises serious questions about the government’s commitment to legitimate local governance,” he said.

Statistics from the Electoral Commission indicate Uganda has 10,595 parishes (LC2) and 70,626 villages (LC1). Many positions remain vacant due to non-functioning councils and deceased leaders, further compounding governance challenges at the grassroots level.

This is not the first delay for LC1 and LC2 elections. Earlier in 2024, the government postponed the elections citing financial constraints, with an estimated Shs50 billion required to organize the polls.