Pader LC III chairpersons postpone executive elections as district pledges better support for Sub-counties

4 August 2026, 10:27 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

The election of a new executive for the Pader District LC III Chairpersons Association has been postponed after members failed to raise the required quorum during a meeting held on Friday.

The meeting, which was convened to elect new leaders following the expiry of the outgoing executive’s term, attracted only 12 of the association’s 23 LC III chairpersons, making it impossible to proceed with the elections.

Speaking after the meeting, Bob Oywak, the outgoing Secretary of the Pader District LC III Chairpersons Association and LC III Chairperson of Latanya Sub-county, said the members agreed to postpone the elections to avoid any legal challenges arising from decisions made without the required quorum.

He said the elections have been rescheduled for 14 August 2026 and appealed to members who missed the meeting to attend the next sitting so the association can elect its new leadership.

Although the elections did not take place, the meeting also provided an opportunity for district officials and LC III chairpersons to discuss challenges affecting service delivery in the sub-counties.

Addressing the chairpersons, Joyce Anek Ongee, the Principal Assistant Secretary of Pader District Local Government, acknowledged that the district continues to face staffing shortages, with many departments and sub-counties being managed by officers serving in acting capacities.

She said the district leadership is pursuing recruitment of substantive staff but, in the meantime, will continue mentoring and supporting officers currently holding positions in acting capacity to improve service delivery.

Anek who represented the Chief Administrative Officer, also announced that district officials will begin conducting supervision and mentorship visits to sub-counties to engage both political and technical leaders, identify operational challenges and agree on practical solutions for improving service delivery.

She urged LC III chairpersons to maintain close collaboration with technical staff and ensure that mandatory governance meetings, including Technical Planning Committee, Executive Committee and Council meetings, are conducted as required by law.

The PAS further revealed that the Ministry of Local Government is expected to organise orientation training for newly elected local government leaders to strengthen their understanding of their roles and responsibilities.

The Pader District LC III Chairpersons Association brings together the 23 LC III chairpersons from the district’s lower local governments.

The meeting was attended by LC III chairpersons from Lunyiri, Ajan, Latanya, Acholibur Sub-county, Atanga, Porogali, Pader Sub-county, Puranga Town Council, Pajule Sub-county, Tenam sub county among other lower local governments.

The Pader District LC III Chairpersons Association brings together the 23 LC III chairpersons from the district’s lower local governments. The executive elections have been rescheduled for 14 August 2026, with members expected to turn up in sufficient numbers to meet the required quorum.