Government bars civil servants from contesting in LCI, LCII elections
"Public officers are expected to maintain political neutrality and are prohibited from participating in partisan political activities while serving in government."
Kampala: The government has banned civil servants from contesting for Local Council I (LC I) and Local Council II (LC II) elective positions while still serving in public office, saying public officers must remain politically neutral.
The directive was issued by the Minister for Local Government, Dr. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, in a statement released on Tuesday.
According to the ministry, reports indicate that teachers, health workers, administrative staff, agricultural extension workers and other public servants have been participating in the ongoing LC I and LC II electoral process without first resigning from government service.
Dr. Barugahara said the law does not permit public officers to engage in partisan political activities while they remain in public service.
“Public officers are expected to maintain political neutrality and are prohibited from participating in partisan political activities while serving in government.”
The minister explained that contesting for political office under Uganda’s multiparty political system constitutes participation in partisan politics, making it incompatible with continued service as a public officer.
He cited Article 176 of the Constitution of Uganda and Section 129(5) of the Local Governments Act, which require any public officer intending to contest for a Local Council position to resign from public service at least 30 days before nomination.
“Any public officer intending to contest for a Local Council position must resign from public service at least thirty days before nomination, as provided for under the Constitution and the Local Governments Act.”
The Ministry of Local Government has directed all public officers to uphold professionalism, integrity and impartiality in the discharge of their duties and avoid actions that may compromise public confidence in the civil service.
The ministry further said it will work closely with the Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Public Service and other relevant government agencies to enforce compliance with the law.
“The Ministry will work with the Electoral Commission, the Ministry of Public Service and other relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with the legal requirements.”
Dr. Barugahara also urged Ugandans to participate peacefully in the forthcoming LC I and LC II elections and exercise their constitutional right to elect their local leaders.
“I call upon all eligible voters to participate peacefully in the upcoming LC I and LC II elections and exercise their constitutional right to elect leaders of their choice.”
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