Minister Balaam Warns Public Officers Against Contesting In LC Elections Without Resigning

KAMPALA — The Ministry of Local Government has raised concern over reports of Public Officers in Local Governments, including teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers and other public servants, who are expressing interest in, or participating in the ongoing Administrative Unit Elections for Local Council I and Local Council II while still holding public office.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Minister for Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi reminded all public officers, Electoral Commission officials, District Election Administrators, Returning Officers, Local Government leaders and the general public of the legal requirement to maintain political neutrality while in public service.

“Public Officers are required to maintain political neutrality in the discharge of their official duties and are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities,” the Minister said.

“It is important to note that contesting for any Political Office in the multiparty political system entails the articulation of a political agenda or belonging to a political party and hence, is participation in a partisan political activity in every sense.”

The Minister cited Article 176 of the Constitution, which establishes Local Governments as units of Government. Consequently, a person serving in a Local Government is a Public Officer within the meaning of the Constitution and the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021 and is subject to the laws and regulations governing the Public Service.

Minister Balaam further referenced Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 138, which provides that: “A Public Officer, a person employed in any department or agency of Government, an employee of a Local Council or an employee of a body in which government has a controlling interest, who wishes to stand for Election to a Local Council Office shall resign his or her office at least thirty days before nomination day in accordance with the procedure of the service or employment to which he or she belongs.”

The Minister said, 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 urged all public officers to uphold the integrity, impartiality and professionalism of the Public Service.

“Public officers play a vital role in delivering essential services to the people of Uganda and must remain nonpartisan while in office,” he said.

He further pledged to work closely with the *Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Public Service, the Public Service Commission, District Service Commissions, Chief Administrative Officers and other relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with the law.

He also called upon all eligible voters to “turn up in large numbers, vote peacefully, and exercise their constitutional right to choose their leaders.”

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