Local government officials' term of office to end May 12

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The term of all outgoing district chairpersons, city mayors, city division mayors, municipal mayors, municipal division mayors, chairpersons of town councils and sub-county councils across the country will expire on May 12, 2026, the Ministry of Local Government has said.

Local government minister Raphael Magezi, in a letter dated April 13, 2026, addressed to all district chairpersons, mayors and municipal mayors on the end of term and beginning of a new term for local government councils, directed the officials to begin preparing their handover reports to allow new office bearers to take over.

“Following the recently concluded general elections, the term of office of the current local government will expire on May 12, 2026. Accordingly, outgoing chairpersons are required to prepare comprehensive handover reports and hand over all government assets in their possession to the respective Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) or town clerks,” Magezi directed.

Magezi said, “Pursuant to Article 291 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, the Newly Elected Local Government Councils shall assume Office between 13th May 2026 and 291h May 2026. Chief Administrative Officers and Town Clerks are hereby directed to ensure a smooth and orderly transition process in accordance with the law. The above shall also apply to all the lower Local Governments,” in his letter copied to H.E. The President of the Republic of Uganda, Prime Minister, Attorney General, among other government officials.

“I wish to take this opportunity to sincerely thank and commend the work of the outgoing district chairpersons, city mayors, city division mayors, municipal mayors, municipal division mayors, chairpersons of town councils and sub-county councils across the Country. The tireless efforts of your leadership contributed immensely to the achievements of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Government and indeed responding to the aspirations of the people of Uganda,” he added.

Magezi directed that, “CAOs and Town Clerks are further directed to guide lower local government councils on the Hand-Over process, ensuring compliance with the relevant provisions of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 138. We look forward to building on the achievements of the outgoing local government councils to further the socio-economic transformation of our country.”

Several district chairpersons who spoke to New Vision said they were ready to hand over their offices to incoming leaders.

Jackson Wekweika of Namisindwa district, who lost to Emma Bwayo, a former radio presenter at Elgon FM, said, “What can make me not hand over? I will hand over my brother. It is the thing that I am used to. I was the interim chairman of Namisindwa, and I handed over. I was aware my term of office was coming to an end in May, which is actually next month.”

Prosper Twebaze, a journalist-turned-politician who won the Bushenyi district LC5 seat, also said he was ready to take over office in May 2026 and that preparations were in high gear.

Last week, planning state minister Amos Lugolobi revealed that Members of Parliament and ministers are expected to receive half pay for May 2026.

This decision stems from the transition to a new government, with officials receiving pay only for the portion of the month they have worked before their contracts end.