KAMPALA – The government has once again decided to extend the terms of Local Council (LC) chairpersons and women council leaders. Starting from July 3, 2024, these leaders will hold their positions until December 2024. Yes, you read that right. Another six months of the same faces in your village meetings.
Local Government Minister Raphael Magyezi made this grand announcement in the Uganda Gazette. He noted, with all the formality of a wedding invitation, that “pursuant to regulation 11 A(d) of the Local Government Council Regulations, the term of office of administrative unit councils expiring on July 3, 2024 is extended for a period not exceeding one hundred and eighty days from July 3, 2024.”
Now, if you’re wondering why this extension is happening, you’re not alone. The Minister didn’t provide reasons, leaving many of us scratching our heads. But Joyce Babirye Katende, the principal public relations officer at the Ministry of Local Government, stepped in to save the day. She said the extension was due to financial and logistical challenges. In true Ugandan style, she added, “The Minister is still in a consultative meeting about the same. Please wait for him to come out.”
Unfortunately, by press time, his phones were still off. Maybe he’s lost in thought or perhaps in another consultative meeting.
This isn’t the first time the government has played the extension game. It’s actually the third time. Our beloved leaders, who should have been replaced by July 10, 2023, saw their term first extended to January 2024, then to June 2024, and now to December 2024. It’s like a never-ending sequel, each extension more surprising than the last.
In December 2023, Magyezi extended the term of office for Local Council 1 and 2 and Women Councils until early July 2024. This followed the tabling of the statutory instruments providing for the extension on the floor of the House in a sitting held on January 9, 2024.
Timeline of Extensions for LC Terms
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Term Expiration | July 10, 2023 | Original term end date for LC leaders |
| First Extension | January 2024 | Extended due to unspecified reasons |
| Second Extension | June 2024 | Extended again amidst financial and logistical challenges |
| Third Extension | December 2024 | Most recent extension announced by Minister Raphael Magyezi |
Reasons for Extension
| Reason | Details |
|---|---|
| Financial Challenges | Lack of funds to conduct new elections |
| Logistical Challenges | Difficulties in organizing and executing the election process across various administrative units |
So here we are, with another six months of the same leadership. Maybe the next extension will come with more clarity or, dare we dream, a proper election?
Until then, brace yourselves for more village meetings with the same chairpersons and women leaders, discussing the same issues with the same enthusiasm. Because in Uganda, if it’s not broken, why rush to fix it?
