How Ugandan Villagers Can Recall Underperforming LC Chairpersons

While many elected officials are protected from removal during their term, village and parish chairpersons in Uganda are subject to recall by their constituents. The Local Government Act outlines specific grounds for this removal, which include abuse of office, corruption, incompetence, misconduct, and a refusal to implement lawful council decisions.

Failure to convene a council meeting for over three months without a valid reason is also a ground for dismissal. The process begins with a petition signed by at least one-third of the eligible voters in the village. This petition is submitted to the sub-county clerk and the returning officer, clearly stating the reasons for the recall.

The returning officer must then arrange a council meeting within 21 days of receiving the notice. During this meeting, the chairperson facing recall has the right to defend themselves against the accusations. For the recall to be successful, it requires the support of a two-thirds majority vote from the council members present.

Despite these legal provisions, awareness of the recall mechanism is reportedly low among Ugandans. Many residents are unaware of the specific procedures or the threshold of signatures needed to initiate a recall. This lack of knowledge has rendered the recall provisions largely dormant, as noted by legal experts who point out that the focus is often on higher political offices.

The Ministry of Local Government acknowledges this gap and is planning to conduct training for newly elected local leaders to ensure they understand their mandates and responsibilities. This initiative aims to empower both leaders and citizens, fostering greater accountability at the grassroots level.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)