Politics
Declare LC elections day a public holiday, Minister Nameere proposes
Presenting a report to Parliament on the forthcoming LC1 and LC2 elections on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Nameere said the public holiday would enable voters to exercise their democratic right and boost participation in the grassroots elections.
The State Minister for Local Government, Justine Nameere, during a plenary session on Wednesday, July 8, 2026. (Courtesy: X/@Parliament_Ug)
By: John Odyek, Journalist @New Vision
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The State Minister for Local Government, Justine Nameere, has proposed that July 28, 2026, be declared a public holiday to allow Ugandans to return to their villages and participate in the election of Local Council 1 (LC1) leaders.
Presenting a report to Parliament on the forthcoming LC1 and LC2 elections on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Nameere said the public holiday would enable voters to exercise their democratic right and boost participation in the grassroots elections.
She appealed to Parliament to go into recess to allow Members of Parliament to return to their constituencies and mobilise voters ahead of the polls.
"That Parliament goes into recess to enable Members of Parliament to go to their respective constituencies and mobilise the masses to turn up and exercise their democratic right to vote for their local leaders," Nameere said.
She added: "That the 28th day of July 2026 be declared a public holiday to enable voters to travel to their villages and exercise their democratic right to vote for their local leaders."
According to the Electoral Commission roadmap, LC1 elections will be held on July 28, 2026, at every village, while LC2 elections will take place on August 10, 2026, at parish headquarters.
Nameere described the elections as vital because Local Councils form the foundation of Uganda's decentralised governance system and serve as the first point of contact between citizens and the Government.
She said the local councils play a key role in maintaining security, resolving disputes through Local Council Courts, mobilising communities for development, supporting government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, and monitoring service delivery.
She added: "That the 28th day of July 2026 be declared a public holiday to enable voters to travel to their villages and exercise their democratic right to vote for their local leaders."
According to the Electoral Commission roadmap, LC1 elections will be held on July 28, 2026, at every village, while LC2 elections will take place on August 10, 2026, at parish headquarters.
Nameere described the elections as vital because Local Councils form the foundation of Uganda's decentralised governance system and serve as the first point of contact between citizens and the Government.
She said the local councils play a key role in maintaining security, resolving disputes through Local Council Courts, mobilising communities for development, supporting government programmes such as the Parish Development Model and Emyooga, and monitoring service delivery.
The minister noted that the terms of office for LC1 and LC2 leaders expired on June 28, 2026, but were extended to allow incumbent office bearers to continue serving until newly elected leaders assume office during a formal handover.
She further explained that every Ugandan aged 18 years and above, who ordinarily resides in a village and is willing to be a member of the village council, is eligible to register and participate in the LC 1 elections. Voters will elect chairpersons by lining up behind candidates, their representatives, portraits or symbols, as provided for under the Local Governments Act.
Nameere said the Ministry of Local Government is working closely with the Electoral Commission to strengthen voter mobilisation and awareness campaigns in the remaining days before polling to ensure a high voter turnout.
The long-awaited grassroots elections have been made possible after Parliament approved sh56.95b in supplementary funding for the Electoral Commission to conduct the LC1, LC2 and Women Councils and Committees' elections. The allocation enabled the commission to release the election roadmap after years of postponements.
The elections will be conducted in over 71,000 villages and over 10,700 parishes across Uganda. This will mark Uganda's first nationwide administrative unit elections under the new roadmap released by the Electoral Commission.
She further explained that every Ugandan aged 18 years and above, who ordinarily resides in a village and is willing to be a member of the village council, is eligible to register and participate in the LC 1 elections. Voters will elect chairpersons by lining up behind candidates, their representatives, portraits or symbols, as provided for under the Local Governments Act.
Nameere said the Ministry of Local Government is working closely with the Electoral Commission to strengthen voter mobilisation and awareness campaigns in the remaining days before polling to ensure a high voter turnout.
The long-awaited grassroots elections have been made possible after Parliament approved sh56.95b in supplementary funding for the Electoral Commission to conduct the LC1, LC2 and Women Councils and Committees' elections. The allocation enabled the commission to release the election roadmap after years of postponements.
The elections will be conducted in over 71,000 villages and over 10,700 parishes across Uganda. This will mark Uganda's first nationwide administrative unit elections under the new roadmap released by the Electoral Commission.