Kampala — Cabinet has approved Shs56.9 billion to facilitate elections for Local Council One (LC1) and Local Council Two (LC2) chairpersons nationwide, paving the way for village and parish-level polls scheduled for March and April.
The funding decision followed a Cabinet meeting in which the Ministry of Local Government presented the budgetary and logistical framework required to conduct the elections ahead of the forthcoming presidential inauguration.
Government officials say the allocation will cater for the printing of ballot papers and related materials, training of election officials, facilitation of polling personnel, and nationwide logistical coordination. The Electoral Commission is mandated to supervise and implement the electoral process.
Information Minister Chris Baryomunsi said the move is intended to prevent a leadership vacuum at the grassroots level, noting that many local council leaders are currently serving beyond their original mandates. He added that synchronising the elections with the broader political transition will help ensure administrative continuity and reinforce local governance systems.
LC1 and LC2 chairpersons form the backbone of Uganda’s decentralised governance structure. They act as the first interface between communities and government, handling issues such as local security, mobilisation for development programmes, and mediation of minor disputes.
With the budget now approved, the Electoral Commission is expected to release a detailed electoral roadmap and commence preparations for what is anticipated to be one of the country’s largest grassroots electoral exercises in recent years.
