The Ministry of Local Government has warned that serving public officers, including teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers and other government employees, are not eligible to contest in the ongoing Local Council I (LC I) and Local Council II (LC II) elections unless they have lawfully vacated their public offices.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara, said the ministry had noted reports that a number of public officers serving in local governments had expressed interest in contesting, or were already participating in, the administrative unit elections while continuing to hold public office.
“The Ministry wishes to remind all Public Officers, Electoral Commission officials, District Election Administrators, Returning Officers, Local Government leaders and the general public that Public Officers are required to maintain political neutrality in the discharge of their official duties and are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities,” Barugahara said.
He explained that contesting for political office under Uganda’s multiparty political system constitutes engagement in partisan political activity, which is incompatible with continued service as a public officer.
Barugahara noted that Article 176 of the Constitution establishes local governments as units of government, making employees of local governments public officers who are subject to the Constitution and the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.
The minister also cited Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act, which requires any public officer, government employee, local council employee or employee of a body in which the government has a controlling interest to resign from their position at least 30 days before nomination if they intend to contest for a local council office.
“This requirement is intended to ensure that all Public Officers remain politically neutral in the performance of their duties and do not engage in partisan political activities that would compromise the impartiality of the Public Service,” he said.
Barugahara urged all public officers to uphold the integrity, impartiality and professionalism expected of the public service, noting that they play a critical role in delivering essential services to Ugandans.
He added that the ministry will continue working closely with the Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Public Service, the Public Service Commission, District Service Commissions and Chief Administrative Officers to ensure full compliance with the law.
The minister also appealed to eligible voters to participate peacefully in the ongoing Local Council elections and exercise their constitutional right to elect their leaders.
