The tenure of Local Council 1 and 2, as well as Women Councils, has been prolonged by an additional 180 days, extending until early July 2024. This decision resulted from the presentation of statutory instruments advocating for the extension during a session on Tuesday, 09 January 2024.
While presiding over the sitting, Speaker Anita Among directed the Minister for Local Government to submit the statutory instruments for approval, highlighting that Cabinet had endorsed them before the expiration of the councils’ extended term on 05 January 2024. She pointed out that lack of funds led to the initial extension on 28 July 2023, providing an additional six months for the councils’ term.
The new statutory instruments, presented on the floor by Government Chief Whip Hon. Hamson Obua and Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon. Betty Amongi, respectively, were met with some challenges, particularly from Hon. Medard Sseggona (NUP, Busiro County East).
He argued that a statutory instrument should not alter the fundamental legislation, asserting that the term of office for Local Councils is fixed at five years. In response, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka clarified that the amendment aligns with provisions in the Local Government Act Cap 243.
