Masindi LC1 Chairman seeks re-election after 30 years in office
"I am seeking re-election because there is still more work to do. My interest is to continue serving people at the grassroots and lobbying for better services rather than seeking higher political offices," he added.
Masindi: Abdul Elias Moga, the Local Council One (LC1) Chairperson for Kirasa II Cell in Southern Ward, Central Division of Masindi Municipality, is seeking another term in office after serving his community for 30 years.
The 58-year-old first assumed office in 1996, a decade after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni came to power. He says his long tenure has enabled him to lobby for key community development projects and improve service delivery in the area.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Sunday, Moga highlighted some of the achievements registered during his leadership, including the construction of Kirasa Health Centre II, extension of underground piped water, and provision of community utensils such as saucepans and plates.
He added that he also lobbied for a public address system, tents and chairs through the area’s Woman Member of Parliament and Minister, Balaam Barugahara.
“For the last 30 years, I have worked with the people to lobby for development projects like Kirasa Health Centre II, piped water, community utensils, tents, chairs and a public address system. These have greatly improved the welfare of our residents,” Moga said.
According to Moga, residents were previously struggling to access essential services before he assumed office, and he believes another term will enable him to continue addressing community challenges.
“I am seeking re-election because there is still more work to do. My interest is to continue serving people at the grassroots and lobbying for better services rather than seeking higher political offices,” he added.
Moga welcomed the ongoing LC1 elections, noting that leadership renewal is necessary because some leaders have died, others have retired, while some failed to meet public expectations.
He urged aspiring LC1 chairpersons to focus on service rather than personal gain.
“Leadership is about serving people. Those seeking these positions should solve community problems, avoid being money-minded and serve everyone regardless of tribe or religion,” he advised.
Despite his commitment, Moga expressed concern over the low facilitation provided to LC1 chairpersons.
“We only receive a service reward of Shs120,000 per month, yet the responsibilities we handle in our communities are enormous,” he said.
Meanwhile, Masindi District Electoral Commission Returning Officer Kakaire Gastervus said the nomination of candidates for LC1 elections has officially commenced across the district’s 18 sub-counties and divisions.
He said the exercise, which started today, will run until Sunday.
“Masindi has 418 villages, and by the end of the first day we had already nominated 60 candidates. Eligible contestants must be at least 18 years old, registered voters and residents of the villages where they intend to contest,” Gastervus said.
He added that only registered voters will participate in the elections, which will be conducted through the traditional lining-up method.
According to the Electoral Commission roadmap, elections for LC1 chairpersons will be held on July 28.
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