Kampala: As part of the long term policy to ensure good governance, efficient and effective delivery of public services, government has declared July 10, a public holiday to enable citizens participate local council elections says the Minister of Local government Tom Butime.
LC I elections were last conducted in 2001 and have been in abeyance for three electoral cycles in 2006, 2011 and 2016, reportedly due to lack of funds.
However, as government laid grounds for LC elections last year, On 13 November, High Court Registrar Sarah Langa issued an interim order stopping the Electoral Commission from organizing local council elections following petition filed by a ‘concerned citizen’ James Tweheyo contending that holding of LC elections would disenfranchise O and A level students, who are currently sitting for their exams.
Speaking at media Centre, Mr. Butime said LC elections seek to provide leadership in all newly created administrative units in Uganda that became operational after 2001 minimize anxiety and avert any legal challenges that may arise out of the continued delay in conducting village and parish elections.
“Parish or Village Executive Committee shall oversee implementation of policies and decisions made by its council and shall assist in maintaining of law, order and security,” he said.
He said the system of local government shall be based on the district as a unit under which there shall be lower local government and administrative units to support self-help projects, recommend person in the area, monitor administration.
The queuing elections will be conducted t the cost of over Shs22.1 billion after government availed them additional funds of Shs6.2 billion on top of the Shs17 million.