Balaam urged all public servants to comply with the law, emphasizing that they have a critical responsibility in delivering essential public services and must remain nonpartisan while in office.
The Ministry of Local Government has warned that public servants, including teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers and other government employees, are not eligible to contest in the ongoing Local Council (LC I and LC II) elections unless they have lawfully vacated their public offices.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, the Minister of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, said the ministry had received reports that some public officers in local governments had expressed interest in contesting or were already participating in the ongoing Administrative Unit Elections while continuing to serve in public office.
The ministry reminded all public officers, Electoral Commission officials, District Election Administrators, Returning Officers, local government leaders and the general public that public officers are required to remain politically neutral in the discharge of their official duties.
According to the statement, contesting for any political office under Uganda’s multiparty political system constitutes participation in partisan political activities because it involves promoting a political agenda or affiliation with a political party.
The ministry cited Article 176 of the Constitution, which establishes local governments as units of government, noting that employees serving in local governments are public officers and are therefore governed by the Constitution and the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.
It further pointed to Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act, Cap. 138, which requires any public officer, government employee, local council employee or staff member of a government-controlled body wishing 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.
The ministry said the requirement is intended to preserve the integrity, impartiality and professionalism of the Public Service by ensuring that public officers do not engage in partisan political activities while holding public office.
Balaam urged all public servants to comply with the law, emphasizing that they have a critical responsibility in delivering essential public services and must remain nonpartisan while in office.
The ministry also 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 enforce compliance with the legal requirements.
As Uganda continues with the Administrative Unit Elections, the ministry called upon all eligible voters to participate peacefully and exercise their constitutional right to elect their local leaders.