Govt suspends campaigning LC1 leaders from overseeing land transactions
“You are advised to refrain from participating in, witnessing, endorsing, recommending, or overseeing any land-related transactions until the electoral process has been concluded,” the ministry’s notice stated.
The advisory directs campaigning LC1 leaders to halt all involvement in witnessing, endorsing, recommending, or overseeing land-related transactions until the electoral process concludes.
KAMPALA - The Government has suspended Local Council 1 chairpersons who are actively involved in election campaigns from handling land transactions, a move aimed at preventing potential fraud and protecting property owners during the ongoing electoral period.
The lands ministry announced the temporary measure in a public advisory issued on July 16, 2026, stating that the directive is intended to safeguard the integrity of land dealings as LC1 chairpersons seek re-election or campaign for other candidates.
The advisory directs campaigning LC1 leaders to halt all involvement in witnessing, endorsing, recommending, or overseeing land-related transactions until the electoral process concludes.
This bars affected leaders from participating in land sales and purchases, signing or witnessing agreements, resolving boundary disputes, verifying ownership, or undertaking any administrative roles connected to land transfers.
The ministry further warned the public against relying on campaigning chairpersons for land-related services, advising citizens with urgent matters to engage lawyers or utilise other lawful channels until the election process is completed and normal administrative functions are restored.
The directive comes ahead of the LC1 and LC2 elections scheduled for July 28, following a three-year delay, the polls having last been held in 2018. The five-year term of the leaders elected at that time expired in 2023, but the government extended their tenure multiple times due to funding challenges.
The Electoral Commission has since secured the necessary funding and launched the election roadmap, with voter registration completed last week.
“The LC chairpersons are currently going through the election process, and we do not want cases of fraud to arise during this period,” he said.
“That is why the minister issued the directive. Those who need to proceed with land transactions can engage lawyers until the new leaders assume office and the normal process is restored.”
The directive temporarily sidelines a key function traditionally held by LC1 chairpersons.
Since the establishment of Resistance Councils in 1986 and the enactment of the Local Government Act in 1997, these leaders have served as the closest administrative authority to communities.
In many rural areas, their endorsement of land agreements has provided an essential layer of confidence for buyers, sellers, financial institutions, police, and courts, given their deep knowledge of local histories, boundaries, and families.