The Ministry of Local Government has warned public servants seeking elective office in the ongoing Local Council (LC) elections that they are ineligible to contest unless they have formally resigned from public service in accordance with the law.
The directive comes as campaigns intensify ahead of the July 28 Local Council I and II elections, following the conclusion of nominations, with thousands of candidates traversing villages to seek support from voters.
In a statement issued on July 22, Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi said the ministry had received reports of teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers and other government employees participating in the elections while still holding public offices.
“The ministry has received reports that teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers and other government employees are participating in the elections while still holding public office,” Balaam said.
The minister reminded public officers that they are required to maintain political neutrality while serving in government and are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities.
“It is important to note that contesting for any political office in the multiparty political system entails the articulation of a political agenda or belonging to a political party and hence constitutes participation in partisan political activity,” the statement reads.
Balaam cited Article 176 of the Constitution, which establishes local governments as units of government, noting that individuals serving in local government structures are public officers governed by constitutional provisions and the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.
He also referred to Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act (Cap. 138), which requires any public officer intending to contest for a local council position to resign at least 30 days before nomination day through the prescribed public service procedures.
According to the minister, the requirement is aimed at protecting the neutrality, integrity and professionalism of the public service by preventing officers from engaging in partisan politics while performing official duties.
The warning puts focus on candidates already nominated for the elections, raising questions about whether all public servants currently on the campaign trail complied with the legal requirement to leave government employment before joining the race.
Uganda is preparing to hold LC I Chairperson, Village Committee and LC II elections on July 28, a grassroots electoral exercise expected to determine leadership at village and parish levels across the country.
Campaigns are ongoing following the nomination of candidates by the Electoral Commission.
