Govt moves to harmonise election cycle with Shs56.9b LC polls plan

By Skika Reporter

The government has approved a Shs56.9 billion budget to organise Local Council (LC1 and LC2) and Women’s Council elections as part of a broader plan to align Uganda’s electoral calendar ahead of President Yoweri Museveni’s swearing-in in May.

Cabinet on February 23 cleared the roadmap presented by the Minister of Local Government, Mr Raphael Magyezi, together with the Electoral Commission, setting March and April as the months for the polls.

Government spokesperson Dr Chris Baryomunsi said the decision is intended to end the cycle of staggered elections that has seen local council leaders serve extended terms since July 2023.

Speaking at the Uganda Media Centre, Dr Baryomunsi said Cabinet resolved that all elective positions should follow a harmonised electoral cycle to prevent disruptions caused by mid-term local elections.

“We did not want to have mid-term elections that produce local councils, and then later you have general elections. We are harmonising the election cycle so that when we begin with presidential and parliamentary elections, we conclude with all other levels, including LCs,” he said.

The extensions of LC tenures over the past months were, according to officials, meant to provide legal cover as government worked out a comprehensive electoral roadmap.

Mr Magyezi said the Shs56.9 billion allocation will cover logistics and facilitation for elections at village and parish levels, as well as Women’s Councils. The polls will be conducted through the traditional lining-up method.

He noted that while the exercise is scheduled for March and April, it may stretch into early May, but must conclude before the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected president and Members of Parliament.

The Electoral Commission is expected to announce the specific polling dates in the coming days.