On Tuesday, July 28, Ugandans elected village (zone) leaders, marking the end of the 2026 electoral cycle. The Local Council One (LC1) is the lowest geographical unit in Uganda. In rural areas, it is designated as a village (zone in urban centres).
There is no government administrative presence at LC1 Level. That makes the LC1 chairperson and his/her executive committee the nerve end of the government. In LC1 elections, voters line behind candidates (of their choice). No secret ballot.
But it takes more than courage for one to vote against the candidature of a husband, a close friend, relative, business partner or benefactor by lining behind his or her opponent.
In Kiburara, we had smooth elections (save for the heartfelt loss of my nephew; we are okay). Kiburara is composed of four zones, namely Kamuruli, Rwembya, Kisanga and Kirembo.
National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Ronald Muuke took Kamuruli, defeating the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)-incumbent Jehuyad Kabwana.
My nephew Emmy Kasenya (NRM-incumbent) lost to Musa Kuule (FDC) in Rwembya, while Mr Saad Kabundu (NRM) was re-elected to lead Kirembo. Kisanga Village was taken by Mr Abdulaziz Zain Baluku (NRM). I have known John since 1979. We both went to Kisinga Primary School, doing the daily 16km (to-and-fro) distance on bare foot from Kirembo to Kisinga. As adults, John and I have been helping each other.
However, it should be stated that the mechanics of our friendship’s osmotic capillarity placed me on the gravitational upper end, to wit: his third wife lives rent-free in our house. John’s third wife also has access (for use) to five acres of our modest family land. In short, John is my man.
But John and his third wife didn’t vote for my nephew, who lost the race by a margin of one vote. If John and his third wife had voted for my nephew, he (my nephew) would have won the race by a margin of one vote. Funny: John’s first and second wives voted for my nephew.
As a human being, my instinct is to punish John. Indeed, I refused to give audience to his third wife; she had come to remind me of my pledge of financial support to her university-student son.
I personally regard the leadership at village level critical in determining an environment under which individuals can realise their aspirations.
According to the law, the role of LC1 leadership is to: assist in maintenance of law, order and security; initiate, encourage, support and participate in self-help projects; mobilise people, material and technical assistance in relation to the self-help projects.
Other roles are: oversee activities undertaken by the government and NGO’s in their area; enact by-laws; vet, recommend persons wishing to join the security forces.
Given the above, the best LC1 chairperson is, therefore, one who: recognises his or her limitations and dispose him or herself to work with others; is humble and cares about the welfare of others, especially the weak; is not ambitious for personal gain; doesn’t use ethnicity, political party or religious affiliation as a basis for determining the value of others.
For me, the best LC1 chairperson is the one able to link the needs, opportunities and challenges in his/ her community with those of people in other parts of the country.