Over 500 villages to miss out on LC polls

Jan 05, 2017

Initially, the commission had budgeted for sh15.9b for the existing 58,171 villages, but the recent creation of new districts has since increased the number of villages to over 6,000 villages, creating a funding gap.

 EC secretary Sam Rwakoojo and finance state minister David Bahati before the House committee on Local Government. PHOTO/Kennedy Oryema

Over 500 villages across the country are likely to miss out on the forthcoming local council elections, if the government does not increase the funds for the exercise.

Appearing before the parliamentary committee on local government, which is currently scrutinizing the Local Governments (Amendment) Bill, Electoral Commission officials expressed fear that about 500 villages in the newly created districts, are not catered for in the proposed sh15.9b budget for the elections.

"It makes it more difficult for us to plan, once the new villages are created, we play that the funding is an open cheque," Sam Rwakoojo, the secretary election body said.

 EC secretary Sam Rwakoojo shares a light moment with Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana.

Initially, the commission had budgeted for sh15.9b for the existing 58,171 villages, but the recent creation of new districts has since increased the number of villages to over 6,000 villages, creating a funding gap.

The commission told the MPs that they would set the election date for the polls, as soon as Parliament passes the Local governments (Amendment) Bill.

Parliament which is currently on recess has since been recalled to consider the Bill among other pending businesses.

Uganda has not had LC elections for the last 15 years. 

 

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