Parliament has been urged to synchronize the Local Council (LC) 1 and 2 elections with the general elections as a long-term solution to the currently witnessed governance gaps.

This comes after Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi extended the LC terms for the third time, adding another 180 days since the initial extension in 2023.

Appearing before the Public Service and Local Government Committee, the Uganda Local Government and Urban Authorities Association President, Ibrahim Kitatta criticized the repeated extensions, calling them a sign of misplaced priorities.  

He argued that delays, justified by financial constraints, deny citizens their right to elect leaders and weaken local governance.

Kitatta further warned that prolonged extensions breed complacency, impunity, and leadership vacuums when LC chairpersons pass away without replacements. He urged the Government to prioritize timely elections for effective local governance.

By Francis Lubega

13 February 2025

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