Politics 13 March 2026 Parliament of Uganda
LC1 and LC2 Elections Set for End of April 2026
Uganda's Minister of State for Local Government, Hon. Victoria Rusoke, announced that long-overdue Local Council 1 and 2 elections will take place by the end of April 2026. The announcement came during a parliamentary session amid concerns over repeated delays and funding issues. Source: https://www.parliament.go.ug/news/4298/lc-elections-be-held-april-2026
Hon. Victoria Rusoke, Minister of State for Local Government, informed Parliament that elections for Local Councils 1 and 2 (LC1 and LC2), as well as Women Councils, are scheduled to occur by the end of April 2026. She made this statement during a plenary session on March 12, 2026, presided over by Speaker Anita Among.
The current LC1 and LC2 leaders, elected in 2018, saw their terms expire in 2023 and have since received six extensions due to various challenges, including funding shortfalls.
Kiboga East County MP, Hon. Keefa Kiwanuka, raised concerns about conflicting statements from authorities. He noted that the Electoral Commission Chairperson, Justice Byabakama, had indicated funds were released, but the Ministry later cited a Shs58 billion shortfall, followed by Cabinet’s mention of March-April timing.
Kiwanuka highlighted how prolonged delays create governance voids, forcing reliance on unelected structures despite LCs’ key role in government programs. He urged confirmation on funding and exact dates.
Speaker Among echoed the need for clarity, questioning the funding discrepancies and emphasizing the loss of democratic local leadership. Uganda’s over 70,000 villages depend on these councils.
Specific dates remain pending from the minister.
Source: Parliament of Uganda