The Government has finally confirmed that Local Council One (LC1) elections will be held in 2026.

This has been revealed by the State Minister for National Guidance under Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Kabyanga saying the Government found it permissible to conduct all categories of elections in one year.

His comments follow the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi on Wednesday evening releasing a notice following the approval of cabinet extending the LC1 Chairpersons’ term of office for the next period of 180 days starting December 31st 2024 over the Government’s failure to mobilize funds to organize these elections.

This is the fourth time the Government is extending the LC elections since July 2023 over lack of funds.

In September 2023, the Electoral Commission announced that it needed at least Shs 54.5 billion to conduct the LC1 and LC2 elections.

According to the Electoral Commission, Uganda has over 71,000 villages and 10,000 parishes.

By Olivia Nabaggala

19 Dec 2024

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