KAMPALA, August 2026 — The Ministry of Local Government has directed all Local Government leaders across the country to strengthen transparency, public accountability and community productivity through greater public access to council proceedings, disclosure of approved budgets and stricter regulation of alcohol and betting operations.
The directives, issued by the Minister in charge of Local Government, Hon. Barugahara Balaam Ateenyi, target LC5 Chairpersons, City Mayors, Division Mayors and Council Speakers and take immediate effect.
Under the new measures, local governments are required to allow members of the press to attend council sittings, in the same way that the media accesses proceedings of Parliament. The move is intended to promote transparency and enable citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business in their respective local governments.
The Ministry has also directed all local governments to display their approved budgets on main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards. According to the directive, making budget information publicly available will enable citizens to know what has been allocated to their communities and monitor the implementation of Government projects and services.
The Minister said public access to budget information will strengthen people-led audits, transparency and accountability, by giving communities the information they need to question delays, non-performance and misuse of public resources.
The directive further puts local authorities and security agencies on notice over the sale and supply of alcohol to persons below the age of 18.
Bar owners, shop owners, Malwa joint operators and other alcohol sellers found selling or supplying alcohol to minors are to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law. Establishments that repeatedly violate the requirement will face appropriate sanctions.
Local leaders have also been directed to take the lead in discouraging early-morning alcohol consumption, which the Ministry says contributes to idleness, family problems and rising crime in communities.
Under the directive, bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
Local authorities have been instructed to enforce lawful operating-hour requirements and take action against establishments that repeatedly defy such directives.
The Ministry has further directed local governments to regulate the operating hours of betting companies within their jurisdictions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The measure is intended to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting while promoting responsible and productive use of time and resources.
The directives come as Government intensifies efforts to strengthen accountability and responsible governance at the grassroots, while addressing social practices that undermine household incomes, community productivity and public order.
Joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities are expected to support local governments in implementing and enforcing the measures.
Hon. Balaam has called upon local government leaders to take personal responsibility for implementing the directives and to report challenges encountered during enforcement through the appropriate channels.
“Let us put the interests of our people first, promote transparency and accountability in local government, protect our children, encourage productivity and restore discipline in our communities,” the Minister said.
The Ministry expects the measures to strengthen citizens’ participation in local governance while ensuring that public resources and community environments are managed in a manner that promotes development and the welfare of Ugandans.
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