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 August 10, 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 launch a crackdown on the abuse of local alcohol (Iguli) and sports betting among the youth.

Third, the minister directed local governments to guarantee media access, 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, publishing financial plans and project allocations in public spaces so citizens can monitor development projects and track how funds are spent.

Fifth, the order prioritizes child protection, empowering security agencies to arrest anyone found selling local alcohol (Iguli) to children under 18 years of age. Sixth, the letter regulates bar operating hours, strictly prohibiting owners from opening before 9:00 AM, with mandatory closure for any establishment that fails to comply.

The Minister urged all political leaders and security agencies to work together to ensure the full implementation of these 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 in a telephone interview on Tuesday, August 11, Francis Abola, the LC5 Chairman of Otuke District Local Government, welcomed the directive and confirmed that his administration has already started enforcing some of the measures.

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