The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has been tasked to avail the necessary funding to facilitate the elections of administrative units and women councils, during the 2026 general elections.

This follows Parliament’s approval of a statutory instrument issued by the Ministry of Local Government, to extend the term of office for Local Council 1, Local Council 2 and Women Councils, for another 180 days.

“Since the extensions have been purely due to the inability of the Ministry of Finance to provide the necessary funds, they should assure this August House that they will comply with the directive of Cabinet and recommendations of this Committee," said Hon. Pius Wakabi, the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government.

Wakabi observed that the current office bearers were last elected in 2018, and that Cabinet directed that elections for administrative units and women councils be aligned with general elections, starting with the 2026 general elections.

“The Minister for Local Government would be required to issue two more extensions in line with Regulation 12(d) of the Local Government Council Regulations. By 2026, the country will have spent eight years without electing the Local Council 1 and 2 leadership,” Wakabi added.

He said that in conducting these elections alongside the 2026 general elections, government is expected to save up to Shs39.1 billion.

Legislators raised concerns over the poor remuneration of Local Councils and Women Councils.

Hon. Irene Linda (NRM, Fort Portal City Woman Representative) called on the House to provide, in the 2025/2026 national budget, for an increase in the ex-gratia given to LC 1 leaders.

“They are doing good work because they handle most of the cases at the village even though they are not trained. We should also plan to train them to handle court matters very well at their level,” Linda said.

Hon. Asuman Basalirwa (Jeema, Bugiri Municipality) observed that the Shs10,000 supposed to be paid to LC1 chairpersons is often not given in time.

“I support the idea of enhancing the welfare of the Local Councils. Many colleagues here have been approached by LC1s asking when their money will be paid,” said Basalirwa.

Aswa County MP, Hon. Simon Peter Wokorach, urged the Ministry of Local Government to plan for the remuneration of LCs that were created in newly established administrative units.

“We have members of the Local Council 1 with a fully-fledged executive who are in acting positions. What is the Ministry’s plan for these acting LC1s in the newly created villages in our districts?” Wokorach asked.

The State Minister for Local Government, Hon. Victoria Businge, said some of the new villages are not officially recognised by the Ministry.

“These villages are not coded and they have no instrument created by the Ministry. This is due to some circumstances where the Electoral Commission created polling posts to ease elections, and members went ahead to create their own villages. These are not known by the Ministry of Local Government,” said Businge.