Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi has issued a stern warning to incumbent village chairpersons across the country, cautioning them against refusing to hand over office once defeated in the upcoming Local Council elections.
Speaking during his first press conference at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala on Tuesday, Barugahara said government would not tolerate any attempts by outgoing leaders at village and parish levels to obstruct peaceful transitions of power. He noted that government would not accept situations where defeated leaders refuse to relinquish office after elections.
The press briefing marked his first official media engagement since assuming office as Minister for Local Government, replacing Raphael Magyezi, who was dropped from Cabinet by President Yoweri Museveni on May 26, 2026.