The government has prolonged the term of office of local council officials for the second time for an extra six months, following the initial extension in July 2023, when their term of office expired.

Minister of Local Government Raphael Magyezi announced the second extension of the term of office for local councils on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, while addressing the media at the Uganda Media Centre.

“Notice is hereby given to the general public, pursuant to Regulation 11A(d) of the Local Government Councils Regulation, that the term of office of administrative unit councils expiring on January 5, 2024, is extended for a period not exceeding 180 days from January 6, 2024,” Minister Magyezi said.

Minister Magyezi said the Ministry of Local Government is in the process of updating the list of all administrative units in the county, in liaison with the relevant government agencies and local authorities.

According to Minister Magyezi, without clarity of numbers, names, and boundaries of the administrative units, it is not possible to conduct the elections.

He noted that the country needs local councils and cannot afford a vacuum in leadership at that level at any moment in time.

“The government appreciates the role of the local councils, as given under the Local Governments Act Section 48-50 and other laws and government policies, particularly maintenance of security, law, and order, in liaison with the security agencies,” he added.

He said local council officials are critical in the registration of citizens for the National Census, recruitment in the armed forces, recommendation of citizens for a Ugandan passport and other identification documents, and dispute resolution through the Local Council Courts.

In July 2023, the Cabinet approved the extension of the term of office of the Local Council one and two by six months after it had expired on July 10, 2023, at a time when the government did not have the means to conduct elections.

Section 157 of the Local Governments Act gives the Minister of Local Government powers to draft regulations for the implementation of the Act. The Minister of Local Government also has the power to amend the schedules in the Act