The recently concluded Local Council One (LC1) elections have once again highlighted the enormous value attached to the lowest office in Uganda’s local governance structure, with candidates spending millions of shillings on campaigns despite the position carrying only a modest monthly gratuity. Across the country, candidates traversed villages between July 20 and 27, distributing cash, foodstuffs and other items while blaring campaign messages through public address systems in a bid to win over voters. Political analysts say the intensity of the campaigns reflects the growing monetisation of grassroots politics and the influence wielded by village chairpersons through the official LC1 stamp, a tool that remains central to accessing a range of public and private services.
The elections, conducted on Tuesday in 71,214 villages nationwide, were marred by violence and electoral malpractice in some areas, leading to the cancellation of 1,113 polls. While several affected villages held repeat elections on Wednesday, others are expected to return to the polls on Saturday. Although the office attracts a monthly gratuity of only Shs10,000, stakeholders say the authority vested in the LC1 chairperson-particularly the power to verify documents and authenticate transactions-has made the position one of the most fiercely contested at the grassroots.
More than a rubber stamp
The LC1 stamp is widely used to authenticate a variety of official documents. It is required in land transactions, passport and National Identity Card applications, applications for bank loans, letters of good conduct, written agreements and recommendations needed to access government services. Although government has repeatedly warned village chairpersons against turning the office into a money-making venture, the stamp continues to command significant influence, especially in rural communities where formal legal services remain limited.
Mr Veleriano Tumusiime, the former LC1 chairperson of Nyakishoja B Cell in Rwengwe Sub-county, Buhweju District, says the stamp gives community validation to transactions.
‘The stamp is used to verify documents such as land transaction agreements, animal movement permits and, in some cases, wills, making them legally credible,’ Mr Tumusiime said. He explained that although land sales can legally proceed without an LC1 endorsement, many buyers insist on obtaining one because it confirms that the transaction is recognised within the community. ‘People prefer using the LC1 stamp because it confirms that those selling the land are the rightful owners.
It also gives confidence that whatever someone is buying or selling is genuine and known by the community,’ he said. Mr Tumusiime, who served as an LC1 chairperson for two decades before losing this week’s election, added that the endorsement is particularly important in rural areas where residents often cannot afford legal services. ‘For example, when transporting animals, one may require a local permit to show they acquired them legally. If the permit does not bear the LC1 stamp, its authenticity may easily be questioned,’ he added.
Government warning
The government has previously cautioned LC1 chairpersons against charging residents for services offered using the official stamp. In January 2024, the then Local Government minister, Mr Raphael Magyezi, directed village chairpersons to stop levying fees on residents seeking endorsements and recommendations. Addressing local leaders during a cadre training at the Northern Uganda Youth Development Centre in Omoro District, Mr Magyezi said the stamps were issued to facilitate service delivery rather than generate personal income. ‘We have given them official stamps to ease their work because they certify certain official documents. For example, when I want to register for a passport, I need a stamp of the LC1 chairperson.
Even courts sometimes require confirmation from LC1 chairpersons,’ he said. The current Local Council system evolved from the Resistance Councils established by the National Resistance Movement after it came to power in 1986. At village level, each LC1 comprises an elected chairperson and 10 committee members. Their responsibilities extend beyond document verification. They oversee community security, coordinate with security agencies, mediate domestic and neighbourhood disputes, mobilise residents for government programmes and public health campaigns, and participate in activities such as census and voter registration exercises.
They also handle minor civil and land disputes before they escalate to the police or courts. Despite the ministerial directive, charging for LC1 endorsements remains common in many parts of the country. Residents seeking recommendations for employment, letters of good conduct, government services or verification of agreements often pay between Shs5,000 and Shs50,000, depending on the locality and the nature of the service. Land transactions attract even higher informal charges.
Some village chairpersons reportedly demand a percentage of the purchase price before endorsing sale agreements. Mr Richard Kuku, the secretary general of the Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA), described the practice as both illegal and unethical. ‘The stamp should be free of charge. Since land transactions involve money, it is entirely up to the buyer, out of goodwill, to appreciate the LC1 chairperson with a small token if they wish. It should never be a compulsory fee,’ Mr Kuku said. He noted that while involving the LC1 chairperson is not legally mandatory when buying land, doing so provides an additional layer of community verification that often helps prevent future disputes.
High stakes at the grassroots
Observers say the perceived benefits associated with the office partly explain why candidates invested heavily in campaigns. In Nyakahita Village in Rwengwe Sub-county, Buhweju District, voters alleged that candidates distributed between Shs5,000 and Shs50,000 in exchange for support. ‘There is no way I would have refused Shs50,000 because it is a lot of money. Since voting was by lining up behind the candidate, it was difficult to take the money and then vote differently,’ one voter said. Elsewhere, the elections turned chaotic. In Kireka D Village in Kira Municipality, Wakiso District, security personnel were deployed after violence erupted during polling. The contest involved two candidates aligned to the ruling National Resistance Movement, one of whom was the incumbent village chairperson.
Promise to restore trust
Some newly elected leaders say they intend to restore public confidence in the office by ensuring that the village stamp is used responsibly. Mr Amos Mwesigwa, the chairperson-elect of Zone 7 Village in Mbuya II Parish, Nakawa Division, said the authority attached to the stamp carries a responsibility to protect residents rather than exploit them.
‘The LC1 stamp is not a tool for personal enrichment. It is a seal of legal authority and public trust. People fight for the stamp because of the weight it carries in land transactions and official documents,’ Mr Mwesigwa said. He pledged to verify every land transaction, agreement and recommendation thoroughly before endorsing them.
‘Under my administration, this stamp will stand for truth and integrity. We will strictly verify every land sale, every agreement and every recommendation letter before stamping to protect our residents from fraud, extortion and illegal land grabbing,’ he said. Mr Emmanuel Obire, who won the LC1 race in Lugala Village, Buikwe District, echoed similar sentiments. His village has been embroiled in a decade-long land dispute involving approximately 640 acres, leaving many bibanja holders uncertain about their future. Mr Obire said resolving the longstanding conflict would be among his first priorities. ‘My first assignment is to see that this land question is solved. I will not use the village stamp to impose terror on residents but to create lasting peace by working with all relevant stakeholders to resolve the outstanding issues,’ he said.