Otuke LC5 boss welcomes Minister Balaam’s directives

12 August 2026, 9:17 am

By Isaac Erick Odongo

Kampala, Uganda — The Minister for Local Government, Hon Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has written to all LC5 chairpersons, mayors and speakers of councils across Uganda, directing them to immediately begin implementing key government laws aimed at promoting accountability and curbing indiscipline.

In a letter dated 10 August 2026, Minister Balaam outlined key guidelines that local leaders and security agencies must strictly enforce across their jurisdictions.

First, the directive calls for free and fair accountability, requiring all public funds to be used transparently and fully accounted for. Second, local authorities must crack down on the abuse of local alcohol, known as Iguli, and sports betting among young people.

Third, the Minister directed local governments to guarantee media access by allowing journalists free access to public information and permitting them to attend council and official government meetings.

Fourth, councils must ensure the public display of budgets by publishing financial plans and project allocations in public spaces so that citizens can monitor development projects and track how funds are spent.

Fifth, the directive prioritises child protection by empowering security agencies to arrest anyone found selling local alcohol, Iguli, to children under the age of 18.

Sixth, the letter regulates bar operating hours, strictly prohibiting owners from opening before 9:00 am. Any establishment that fails to comply with the directive must be closed.

The Minister urged all political leaders and security agencies to work together to ensure the full implementation of the directives.

“The purpose of these guidelines is to promote transparency, protect our youth, and ensure public resources benefit the people,” Minister Balaam stated in the letter.

Speaking to our reporter by telephone on Tuesday, 11 August, Francis Abola, the LC5 chairperson of Otuke District Local Government, welcomed the directive and confirmed that his administration had already started enforcing some of the measures.

“We had already resolved some of these issues as a council. This directive from Minister Balaam will help us enforce them more effectively across the district,” Abola said.