KAMPALA, Uganda — The Ministry of Local Government has warned that public servants are not eligible to contest in the ongoing Local Council I (LC I) and Local Council II (LC II) elections unless they have lawfully resigned from public office, citing constitutional and statutory requirements governing political participation by civil servants.
In a press statement issued today, Minister of Local Government Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi said the ministry had received reports that some public officers, including teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers and other government employees, had either expressed interest in or were participating in the ongoing Administrative Unit Elections while still serving in public office.
The minister reminded public officers, Electoral Commission officials, district election administrators, returning officers, local government leaders and the public that civil servants are required to maintain political neutrality and are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities while in government service.
“Contesting for any political office in the multiparty political system entails the articulation of a political agenda or belonging to a political party and is therefore participation in a partisan political activity,” Balaam said.
He explained that Article 176 of the Constitution establishes local governments as units of government, making employees serving in local governments public officers under the Constitution and the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.
The minister further cited Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 138, which requires any public officer, government employee, employee of a local council or staff of a government-controlled body intending to contest for a local council position to resign from office at least 30 days before nomination day, in accordance with the procedures governing their employment.
According to Balaam, the legal requirement is intended to preserve the integrity, impartiality and professionalism of the Public Service by preventing public officers from engaging in partisan politics while performing official duties.
He urged all public servants to comply with the law and continue delivering essential public services in a nonpartisan manner.
The minister also said the Ministry of Local Government would 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 enforce compliance with the law.
As the country continues with the Administrative Unit Elections, Balaam called on eligible voters to participate peacefully and in large numbers, urging them to exercise their constitutional right to elect their local leaders.
