Vote out all corrupt LC chairpersons, advises ex-minister Ecweru
This warning comes in response to troubling reports from Teso sub-region, where some LC1s, LC2s, and parish chiefs have been accused of embezzling the sh5 million allocated to families under the cattle restocking and rehabilitation programme, leaving vulnerable communities at a loss. Some LCs recommend their family members to benefit from the restocking funds, leaving out the vulnerable communities.
Amuria District NRM Chairperson, Musa Ecweru. (Credit: Delux Emmy Alomu)
_________________
As Local Council (LC) elections approach, Musa Ecweru, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chairperson for Amuria District and former works state minister, has cautioned voters to carefully consider their options and avoid electing LC1 and LC2 chairpersons with a history of theft and corruption.
This warning comes in response to troubling reports from Teso sub-region, where some LC1s, LC2s, and parish chiefs have been accused of embezzling the sh5 million allocated to families under the cattle restocking and rehabilitation programme, leaving vulnerable communities at a loss. Some LCs recommend their family members to benefit from the restocking funds, leaving out the vulnerable communities.
During a press briefing at his home in Wera sub-county (July 6, 2026), Ecweru emphasised the importance of removing corrupt local council leaders.
“Let us use this election for voting out all the corrupt leaders, and then we get those that we know are trustworthy because they are going to handle our restocking, the Parish Development Model, Emyooga, and other programmes will depend on the recommendations of these LCs. For the women, they are going to handle our GROW (Generating Growth Opportunities and Productivity for Women Enterprises) programme,” Ecweru said.
As the Electoral Commission officially kicked off the electoral process on July 6, starting with residents' registration that will last until July 10, 2026, Ecweru encouraged community members to actively participate in electing their local leaders.
“If you don’t participate in electing these people and anybody just jumps into that office, the people to suffer for the next five years will be you, the villagers,” Ecweru warned.
Ecweru plans to meet with the NRM District executive committee and sub-county committees this week to reinforce his message about prioritising integrity in leadership.
He also suggested that individuals from other political parties, who possess good character should be encouraged to join the NRM.
"This way, they can help bridge the gap between the community and government initiatives. There might be somebody who stands as an NRM candidate, but he/she is a crook. We can persuade any person from any political party to join NRM, and we elect you because we think you are the person who can link us to the Government programmes and deliver. Not every NRM candidate could be clean, so we need to sort that out,” he advised.
According to the Electoral Commission, polling for Village (LC I) Chairpersons will take place on July 28, 2026, across the 71,214 villages countrywide. Voting will occur in public places within each village, from 7:00am up to 4:00pm, and voters will show their support by lining up behind preferred candidates as outlined under Section 123(2) of the Local Government Act Cap 243.