Ugandans are expected to elect LC1 chairpersons in 71,214 villages across the country on July 28 in the first village council elections in years.
In a message issued ahead of the polls, Uganda Human Rights Commissioner Crispin Kaheru urged citizens to view the elections as more than a political exercise, saying the quality of leadership elected at the village level has a direct impact on people's daily lives.
"The quality of life in every village depends, in part, on the quality of leadership its people choose. Strong villages build a stronger Uganda," Kaheru said.
He noted that LC1 chairpersons are often the first point of contact for residents seeking assistance with community matters, including land disputes, domestic violence, theft, neighbourhood conflicts and local mobilisation.
Beyond voting, Kaheru encouraged citizens to remain actively engaged with their elected leaders by saving their LC1 chairperson's contact, knowing other village officials and, where possible, joining or creating village WhatsApp groups to improve communication, emergency response, neighbourhood security and community mobilisation.
The Commission also appealed to voters, candidates and their supporters to uphold peace throughout the electoral process by respecting the law, rejecting violence, intimidation and hate speech, and accepting the choices made by fellow citizens.
"Vote with your conscience. Tomorrow's opponent will still be your neighbour. Let us protect our peace, strengthen our villages and continue building a safer, stronger Uganda together," Kaheru said.
The Electoral Commission has reminded voters that only those whose names appear on the village voters' register will be eligible to participate in the elections.
Campaigns, which began on July 20, concluded on Monday ahead of polling day.
Voting will be conducted using the Electoral Commission's lining-up voting system in accordance with the Local Government Act, with each village serving as a polling station.
The LC1 elections mark the first phase of the Electoral Commission's 2026 Administrative Units elections programme and will be followed by elections for LC2 chairpersons on August 10.