Governance experts and political leaders are now urging government to prioritise induction and civic education for the new LC1 chairpersons, saying they must understand their responsibilities if they are to restore public confidence in grassroots leadership.
When the Local Council system was introduced in the late-1980s by the NRA government, it was designed as a grassroots governance structure that would bring decision-making closer to ordinary citizens.
The system, initially known as the Resistance Councils before being renamed Local Councils, was built around community participation, accountability and collective decision-making.
At the village level, LC leaders were expected to mobilise residents for development, maintain peace and security, resolve local disputes, promote sanitation, identify community needs and serve as a link between citizens and higher levels of government.
The councils became a key pillar of the new administration’s approach to governance, with village meetings providing a platform where residents could discuss challenges, hold leaders accountable and participate in decisions affecting their communities.
However, over the years, observers say the role and influence of LC1 structures have weakened due to prolonged delays in elections, limited resources, political interference and declining citizen participation.
With the return of elected village leaders, expectations are now high that they will rebuild trust and improve service delivery at the grassroots.
Dr Arthur Bayinmugisha, Executive Director of the Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE), said the first step should be ensuring that the new leaders understand their mandate through proper training.
“The first thing they need to do is know their roles and responsibilities as leaders. That calls for induction. If these leaders are elected and not trained, they may only add to the confusion. Government must prepare them so that they can deliver services and lead their communities well,” he said.
Bayinmugisha also called for investment in civic education for both leaders and citizens, saying informed communities would be better able to demand accountability and participate in local governance.
He said strengthening understanding of the LC system would help reduce conflicts, improve service delivery and enable communities to work more effectively with their leaders.
Former Nakawa Mayor Paul Mugambe said the success of the new LC1 leaders would depend on their ability to reconnect with communities and return to the participatory leadership model that defined the early years of the system.
Mugambe urged the new chairpersons to hold regular village meetings, handle disputes fairly and avoid corruption.
“In the last eight years, village meetings have not been there, yet they are very important. We need to bring them back even if it is once every month so leaders understand the challenges people face and give feedback on what they are doing. LC1 leaders must also be impartial because justice should not only be for those who have money,” he said.
He added that LC1 leaders should focus on mobilising communities for development, improving sanitation, reporting local challenges to higher authorities and ensuring equal treatment of residents.
As the new chairpersons prepare to begin their five-year terms, many Ugandans are looking to them to revive the spirit of grassroots leadership that made the LC system a central part of community governance in its early years.
Their challenge will be not only to occupy the offices they have won, but also to restore the trust, participation and accountability that defined the original vision of the Local Council system.