The Ministry of Local Government has issued a clear warning: serving public officers must resign from their positions before they can participate in the ongoing Local Council I (LC I) and Local Council II (LC II) elections.

This restriction applies to teachers, health workers, administrative staff, extension workers, and other government employees. They remain ineligible to run unless they have properly vacated their public offices.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Minister of Local Government Balaam Barugahara highlighted reports of public officers in local governments showing interest in or already taking part in these administrative unit elections while still holding their jobs.

“The Ministry wishes to remind all Public Officers, Electoral Commission officials, District Election Administrators, Returning Officers, Local Government leaders and the general public that Public Officers are required to maintain political neutrality in the discharge of their official duties and are prohibited from engaging in partisan political activities,” Barugahara said.

He clarified that seeking elective political office in Uganda’s multiparty system counts as partisan political activity. This is incompatible with remaining in public service.

Barugahara referenced Article 176 of the Constitution, which defines local governments as units of government. As a result, their employees qualify as public officers bound by the Constitution and the Public Service Standing Orders, 2021.

The minister further pointed to Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act. It mandates that any public officer, government employee, local council employee, or staff of a government-controlled body must resign at least 30 days before nomination if they wish to contest for a local council position.

“This requirement 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 explained.

Barugahara called on all public officers to maintain the integrity, impartiality, and professionalism required in public service, emphasizing their vital role in delivering essential services to Ugandans.

He confirmed that the ministry will collaborate with the Electoral Commission, Ministry of Public Service, Public Service Commission, District Service Commissions, and Chief Administrative Officers to enforce full compliance with the regulations.

The minister also urged eligible voters to take part peacefully in the ongoing Local Council elections and to freely exercise their right to choose their leaders.