Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) leader and former presidential candidate Gen Mugisha Muntu has urged Ugandans to remain engaged in the electoral process by actively participating in the forthcoming local government elections, despite the conclusion of presidential and parliamentary polls.
Speaking ahead of the elections for mayors, district chairpersons, and councillors scheduled for January 22, Muntu said the country’s electoral cycle is not yet complete and cautioned against voter apathy at the grassroots level.
“We would like to ask the Ugandan people, much as the presidential and parliamentary elections have ended, the elections are still on,” Muntu said.
He emphasised the central role played by local government leaders, including LC5 and LC3 chairpersons, as well as mayors of cities and municipalities, describing them as frontline leaders who interact with citizens on a daily basis.
“There are those who are at LC5 and LC3 levels, the mayors of cities and municipalities and so on. Those are the frontline leaders. Any country that is going to transform itself must put serious attention to those leaders at those levels,” Muntu said, noting that they “interact with the population 24/7.”
Muntu acknowledged concerns surrounding the conduct of the recently concluded national elections but warned against disengagement from the broader democratic process.
“I would like to ask the Ugandans not to forget the whole electoral process. Much as there was manipulation at the national level, go and vote,” he said.
He also appealed to voters to support ANT candidates in areas where the party has fielded aspirants, saying the local polls present an opportunity to strengthen leadership closer to the people.
“And I would like to ask those where there are candidates for our party, please vote for them,” Muntu said.
The January 22 elections are expected to fill key local government positions across the country and are viewed by political actors as crucial in shaping grassroots governance and service delivery in the coming term.
