The Parliament of Uganda is set to discuss the proposal for extending the terms of leaders of Local Councils – One and Two, by 180 days. A proposal put forth by the Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magyezi, after a general notice from him to Parliament. The notice has now been forwarded to the Committee on Local Government and Public Service for discussion and scrutiny.

The main reason for the extension is to ensure that local governance throughout the country is not interrupted. Already, the terms of office for the current LC One and Two leaders have elapsed, yet the Electoral Commission has not held elections to get new leaders. The gap in local administration is what the government is trying to address through this extension.

The proposal has elicited mixed reactions among lawmakers. Some members of Parliament feel the extension will help in ensuring stability in local governance. Without the extension, they say, there could be confusion and lack of leadership at the local level, which may affect service delivery to the community.

On the other hand, some legislators feel that an extension of the terms for the current crop of leaders could be misconstrued to mean stalling elections. They fear such a move will set a very bad precedent and weaken democracy. These MPs are pressing the Electoral Commission to clearly outline when elections will be held, rather than just extending the terms for the current crop of leaders.

The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, referred the matter to the Committee on Local Government and Public Service and asked the members to consider the proposal with great interest. He said the discussion of the possible implications which the extension has on local governance and the electoral process was very important. The Deputy Speaker called upon the committee to take their time and make a well-informed decision.

If approved, this would have temporarily solved the leadership gap in local councils. This extension will enable the current leaders to continue their work until new elections are organized. This is only a short-term fix, and what consequences this decision will bring forth in the future is yet unknown.

The extension debate has been a pointer to the challenges of maintaining effective local governance in Uganda. Local councils are very instrumental in addressing community needs and ensuring that government services reach the people. Without functioning local councils, there could be delays in development projects, disputes within communities, and a lack of accountability in local administration.

The delay in organizing elections for new leaders raised questions about the preparedness of the Electoral Commission. According to some critics, the commission should have been better equipped to conduct the elections before the expiration of the terms of the current leaders. Others believe that the government should give more support to the Electoral Commission so that in the future, elections would not lag beyond the scheduled time.

With Parliament preparing to debate the proposal, many Ugandans are closely watching what decision will be made. The result of this debate may have immense implications for local governance and the democratic process within the country. If this extension is approved, the government should give a timeline for when such elections will take place. This would not only solve a problem perceived as delay but also protect democratic rights that are very important for every citizen.

Meanwhile, in case of approval of the extension, the current leaders of LC One and Two shall continue in their positions. This will provide some stability at the local level but is not permanent. The government and the Electoral Commission have to work out the modalities to ensure that new elections are held as soon as possible.

The controversy over the 180-day extension is a reminder of the essence of strong and effective local governance. The local councils are the epitome of democracy in Uganda and thus should be in a position to serve the interest of the people. As Parliament debates this proposal, they should find a way that would ensure continuity in local governance with a strong principle of democracy and accountability.

In effect, this means that the extension of the terms of the LC One and Two leaders by 180 days is a makeshift affair, bridging only for the present absence of leadership. Although it has some stabilizing effect, it is no solution in the long term. In fact, the government and the Electoral Commission must work shoulder to shoulder to conduct the election as soon as possible so that local councils can serve the people with efficacy. This decision to be taken up by Parliament is going to have a great effect in terms of local governance in Uganda and should be debated with the interest of the people in mind.