The local leaders say bicycles are no longer convenient for their mobility and want the government to consider providing them with double-cabin pickup trucks, arguing that they perform critical public service duties similar to other government officials who receive official transport.
The appeal was made during a meeting that brought together incumbent LC1 chairpersons and aspiring candidates from the 24 villages in Ngando Sub-county.
The meeting, convened by Ngando Sub-county Chairperson and NRM Chief Whip for the area Esther Ruth Nakibuule, focused on assessing the performance of village leaders, preparing them for the July 28 LC1 elections and discussing challenges affecting their work.
During the meeting, leaders raised concerns over lack of transport, absence of salaries and what they described as limited support from both government and party leaders.
They said the challenges have affected the ability of some LC1 chairpersons to remain active in their communities, with some leaders reportedly losing interest or shifting allegiance to the opposition National Unity Platform.
The leaders argued that LC1 chairpersons are the first point of contact for residents on issues such as security, land disputes and local conflicts, yet they operate without the basic tools required to execute their responsibilities.
Some compared the current situation to previous political administrations, saying village leaders were historically recognised through symbolic forms of support, while today many receive little beyond party campaign materials.
They also called for official identification cards, branded jackets, caps and other materials to improve their visibility and authority within their communities.
The chairpersons questioned what they described as unequal government facilitation, noting that Members of Parliament receive vehicle grants, district chairpersons have official vehicles and sub-county chairpersons receive motorcycles, while LC1 leaders have no reliable means of transport.
They argued that other security and administrative officials, including Resident District Commissioners, District Internal Security Officers, Regional Police Commanders and District Police Commanders, are facilitated with vehicles despite LC1 chairpersons handling many grassroots security matters.
The leaders appealed to President Museveni to prioritise the facilitation of village chairpersons, saying stronger support would improve local administration and security.
Addressing the meeting, Nakibuule urged incumbent and aspiring leaders to conduct peaceful campaigns and avoid corruption, land fraud, bribery and other practices that could damage the reputation of the National Resistance Movement.
She expressed confidence that the NRM would retain all LC1 chairperson positions in Ngando Sub-county during the upcoming elections.