Parliament has granted approval for a six-month extension of the term of office for Local Council (LC) committees, including LC1s and women councils. The announcement comes after the local government minister, Raphael Magyezi, disclosed last week that the government intended to extend the term of office for local council one committees by an additional six months.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua presented the instrument for the extension of the term of LC1s, and it received approval in Parliament, despite objections raised by Busiro East MP Medard Ssegoona. Additionally, Gender Minister Betty Amongi tabled an instrument for the extension of the term of office for women councils across the country for six months.
The extension of the LC committees’ term is seen as a measure to address delays in conducting Local Council and women council elections. Minister Magyezi emphasized the government’s commitment to holding these elections but cited a shortfall of UGX 59 billion as a hindrance to conducting the anticipated polls.
The extension, effective from January 6, 2024, onwards, is intended to provide the necessary time to secure the required resources for the elections. This move follows a previous extension of the LC elections, demonstrating the challenges faced in organizing these administrative unit elections without adequate funding.
