KAMPALA – The Electoral Commission of Uganda has announced plans to recruit about 142,500 polling officials to oversee the long-awaited LC1, LC2, and Women Council elections.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development follows the release of 56.9 billion Uganda shillings from the Ministry of Finance, paving the way for elections that will bring back grassroots leadership and strengthen local government across the country.
Since 2023, the LC1, LC2, and Women Council elections have been delayed many times, mainly due to lack of funds, unclear village records, court cases, and timing issues with national polls.
The Electoral Commission needed up to 59 billion shillings for over 70,000 villages, but funds were not released for a long time, with the concerned Ministry calling it difficult without resources.
The government also needed to update village records and boundaries, while a 2017 court ruling halted voting, leading officials to align local polls with the 2026 general elections.
The LC1 and LC2 leaders elected in 2018 have served far beyond their five-year term, with their stay extended at least six times, most recently for 180 days starting January 6, 2024.
It should be recalled that recently the Cabinet confirmed that LC1, LC2, and Women’s Council elections will be held between March and April this year, ahead of President Museveni’s swearing-in scheduled for May.
On February 23, Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi and the Electoral Commission presented the election roadmap to Cabinet, outlining plans to complete the polls before the presidential inauguration.
Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, Information Minister Dr. Chris Baryomunsi said the move is aimed at harmonizing the election cycle so that all elections are conducted at the same time.
Election plans went silent, but with the release of funds and the plan to recruit thousands of polling officials, many Ugandans are hopeful that grassroots leadership will finally be restored.
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