The Keefa Kiwanuka has demanded an explanation from government on the repeated delays of Local Council One (LC1) elections, which are overdue after the incumbents’ terms expired in July 2023.
Speaking in the Parliament of Uganda, Kiwanuka noted that the current LC1 leaders were elected in 2018, and since the end of their five-year term, elections have been postponed about six times.
“The elections were supposed to be held when their term ended, but since July 2023, the process has been delayed repeatedly. Government needs to clearly explain why this is happening,” he said.
Kiwanuka highlighted conflicting statements from the Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Local Government. While Simon Byabakama previously announced that funds had been released and preparations were underway, the Ministry later indicated that an additional Shs 58 billion was still required to conduct the elections, which were expected between March and April 2026.
“Government should come out and assure the public that these elections will not be postponed again so that those who want to contest for these positions can start preparing,” Kiwanuka urged.
Responding to the MP’s concerns, Victoria Rusoke Businge, State Minister for Local Government, assured Parliament that the elections will proceed as planned.
“The LC1 elections will be conducted at the end of next month, and all concerned stakeholders have already been informed,” Rusoke said.
