KAMPALA, UGANDA – Local Council (LC) I and II aspirants across Uganda will have to wait longer after the government conceded it has yet to resource the long-delayed grassroots elections.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Despite previous commitments to hold the elections in alignment with the 2026 polls calendar, the government has now confirmed that logistical and financial hurdles remain unresolved.
The State Minister for Finance in charge of General Duties, Henry Musasizi, revealed the latest setback, stating that the treasury is currently unable to facilitate the electoral process.
The admission confirms that the elections, which were initially scheduled to be held by the end of April 2026 according to recent plans, are unlikely to proceed as previously envisioned.
The government’s position underscores the fiscal challenges that have plagued the electoral cycle for the lowest administrative units for nearly a decade.
The delay marks the latest chapter in a series of postponements stretching back to 2017, with the government repeatedly citing a lack of funds for failing to conduct elections for the crucial village and parish leadership structures.
The Ministry of Local Government announced in December 2024 that elections would be synchronized with the broader 2026 General Election calendar, with preparations underway for Local Councils I, II, and Women Councils by the end of April 2026.
Sources within the ministry further suggested that plans were in place to revise emoluments for these local leaders, aiming to make the positions more attractive and functional.
The repeated delays have drawn sharp criticism from opposition legislators, who argue that the government’s inaction is politically motivated rather than purely financial.
Muwanga Kivumbi, the Member of Parliament for Butambala County, has accused President Yoweri Museveni of deliberately stalling the elections to consolidate power at the grassroots level.
Kivumbi claims that the prolonged absence of elected LC structures is a strategic move to prevent the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) from suffering significant losses at the local level.
“The delay in conducting Local Council elections is a deliberate move by President Museveni, motivated by fear of losing many LC positions,” Kivumbi alleged.
He contends that functioning grassroots councils would provide a platform for emerging political voices that are increasingly critical of the central government.
The absence of elected LC1 and LC2 executives carries significant implications for local governance and service delivery, as these councils are constitutionally mandated to maintain security, resolve disputes, and to link the central government with citizens.
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