Court declares LCs illegal: Local leaders speak out

Apr 25, 2007

Although LC1 or village councils were declared illegal by court, most of them have continued carrying out their work. Court ruled that the legality of the current village (LC1s) and parish councils (LC2s) ended on May 12. Court also ruled that the Local Government Act that operationalises the counci

Although LC1 or village councils were declared illegal by court, most of them have continued carrying out their work. Court ruled that the legality of the current village (LC1s) and parish councils (LC2s) ended on May 12. Court also ruled that the Local Government Act that operationalises the councils, the Judicial Executive Act from which village councils derive their judicial powers, have to be amended before the elections, so that they conform to the new multiparty status.

The Local Government Minister, Major General Kahinda Otafiire, urged them to continue work until substantive elections have been held. The Makindye Resident District Commissioner, Edward Ssekabanja, Says: “Insecurity in the villages has gone into overdrive, with thugs breaking into people’s houses. I think that these people must continue working, even as volunteers, so that law and order is maintained.”

A big number of village councils did not even know about the court ruling. Most local leaders are also wary of the introduction of party politics at the village level. They argue that these will only work to divide and cause tension among the villagers. Joshua Kato sought the opinion of local leaders on the matter.

Below is what some of them said:

Maria Nalugwa, a teacher and resident of Kiteezi, Nangabo sub-county, Wakiso
“This is another case of the Government’s failure to respect the rule of law. I understand why the minister of Local Government, Gen. Kahinda Otafiire is urging LCs to continue to work. However, he has to realise that the most important thing at the moment is to take a bill to Parliament to amend the Local Government Act and other relevant documents. As far as party politics is concerned, it is a national policy that has to be embraced by all, not selectively.”

Edward Muwanga, resident, Kasangati, Wakiso District
“I agree that villages should not operate without any kind of governance. However, my worry is that the activities of these village councils can be successfully challenged in courts of law. This is why I think the main solution must be to legalise them as quickly as possible. I think Ugandans are now mature enough politically and cannot get involved in petty divisions because of party politics.”

Hassan Ssali, the LC1 chairman of Nambega village council, Nakaseke district:
“We are working as volunteers. For example, I was elected LC3 councillor for my village, but I am still doing my previous job as LC1 chairman Nambega village, because elections have not been held. Overall, whether legal or illegal, village councils should be allowed to continue operating. I do not think village councils should be involved in party politics because villages will be divided.

Richard Muhumuza, the LC1 chairman of Rwengoma, Fort-Portal
“Villages have got a lot of problems that cannot be left unattended to. For example, I have got drug abusers and others. There must be an authority to take care of them. This is why we cannot just stop our work. Introducing parties is a national policy, however, it will divide the population and cause more tension in the villages.”

Wantante Luutu, the LC2 chairman of Komamboga Parish, Kawempe
“Villages cannot be left in a vacuum. This is why we did not stop working. There are so many things to solve in the villages that even if a chairman spent only one day without working, there would be trouble. Land cases are piling up by the day. All these things have to be solved. I do not support the decision that village councils should operate under a party system. These councils were initially started to help unite and mobilise people at the grassroots. People see each other as village-mates, rather than rivals. Introducing party competition will certainly affect all these values.”

Nalongo Josephine Kyambadde, Dungu Zone, Kawempe, Kampala
“We are the system that moves the villages. We started this work as volunteers and to a large extent, that is what we are still doing. LCs virtually run villages and if they are stopped just like that, there can be a total break down of order. Whatever the circumstances, they should be allowed to continue.”

Erias Bbosa, the aspiring LC1 chairman of Kisaasi, Kampala
“I support the court’s decision. There is no reason why we should adopt the system only at the national level and not in villages. If villagers are not aware of the operations of parties, the Government should organise seminars in all villages to teach them how party politics operate. The introduction of parties will bring the much needed checks and balances, which is lacking at the village level.”

Abu Isabirye Izedi, the LC1 chairman Bazaar West, Lira Municipality
“Village councils play a very big role in running the villages. I do not think there should be a legislation that should simply declare them non-existent. In my zone, I tend to all kinds of cases every day. Stopping work and tending to the people would be suicidal. That would resemble a situation where all of a sudden, somebody declared that there is no government in Uganda. That is why we are still serving our people.”

Disan Kabogozza, the LC chairman Central Zone of Kyanja Parish, Nakawa Division
“I think the court ruling was a bit vague and difficult to understand. If we were truly illegal as some people say, why do they continue coming to us for all kinds of letters of introduction? There is no way villages will exist without these councils. I also think we should not have party politics introduced at the village level because LCs started with values of unifying the people in villages. But once parties are introduced, the leaders might start putting their party support into context, before assisting anybody.”

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