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Turn out for LC1 polls, UHRC urges Ugandans
Kaheru said that the LC1 is the first responder to everyday challenges in communities, from land disputes and domestic violence to theft and neighbourhood conflicts.
Crispin Kaheru, a member of UHRC. (File)
By: Umar Kashaka, Journalist @New Vision
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The Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC) has urged every registered Ugandan voter to turn out and vote in the Local Council (LC) 1 elections slated for July 28, 2026, describing the LC system as the foundation of democracy and community leadership.
Crispin Kaheru, a member of UHRC, said in a statement on Monday (July 27) that the LC1 is the first responder to everyday challenges in communities, from land disputes and domestic violence to theft and neighbourhood conflicts.
“The quality of life in every village depends, in part, on the quality of leadership its people choose,” he said. “Strong villages build a stronger Uganda.”
The human rights body also urged citizens not to disengage after voting. Instead, it encouraged them to save their LC1 chairperson’s contact, know their village leaders and, where possible, join or establish village WhatsApp groups to strengthen communication, improve emergency response, enhance neighbourhood security and support community mobilisation.
It also appealed to all voters to exercise their democratic rights peacefully by respecting the law, rejecting violence, intimidation and hate speech, and respecting the choices of others.
Reminding Ugandans that while elections are temporary, communities are permanent, the commission said: “Vote with your conscience. Tomorrow’s opponent will still be your neighbour. Let us protect our peace, strengthen our villages and continue building a safer, stronger Uganda together.”
The human rights body also urged citizens not to disengage after voting. Instead, it encouraged them to save their LC1 chairperson’s contact, know their village leaders and, where possible, join or establish village WhatsApp groups to strengthen communication, improve emergency response, enhance neighbourhood security and support community mobilisation.
It also appealed to all voters to exercise their democratic rights peacefully by respecting the law, rejecting violence, intimidation and hate speech, and respecting the choices of others.
Reminding Ugandans that while elections are temporary, communities are permanent, the commission said: “Vote with your conscience. Tomorrow’s opponent will still be your neighbour. Let us protect our peace, strengthen our villages and continue building a safer, stronger Uganda together.”
The term of office for the current office holders (LCs 1 and 2), who were elected on July 10, 2018, expired in 2023, but the Government kept extending their mandate due to budget constraints.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has been encouraging all eligible voters whose names appear in the village residents’ register to participate in the village elections.
In accordance with Section 123(2) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 243, voters will elect their LC1 chairperson by lining up behind the candidate, the candidate’s representative, portrait or symbol.
“This time, do not leave the polling station until the votes have been counted. If you leave immediately after voting, you deny the chairperson the opportunity to select you to serve on the village executive committee,” the EC chairperson, Simon Byabakama, said.
The Electoral Commission (EC) has been encouraging all eligible voters whose names appear in the village residents’ register to participate in the village elections.
In accordance with Section 123(2) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 243, voters will elect their LC1 chairperson by lining up behind the candidate, the candidate’s representative, portrait or symbol.
“This time, do not leave the polling station until the votes have been counted. If you leave immediately after voting, you deny the chairperson the opportunity to select you to serve on the village executive committee,” the EC chairperson, Simon Byabakama, said.