Outgoing local leaders face scrutiny over government property

31 August 2026, 9:34 am

By Innocent Ogwang Atwoki and Daniel Odongo

Chegere Subcounty Chief Innocent Abongo has warned outgoing LC1 and LC2 chairpersons in Maruzi North to return government bicycles and other official property before handing over office.

Abongo says some outgoing leaders have surrendered office stamps but retained bicycles provided by the government to support local service delivery.

“Most of the outgoing chairpersons have handed over the office stamps, but they have not handed over the bicycles given to them by the government,” Abongo said.

He says 54 motorcycles allocated to support government service delivery have also not been returned for reallocation to the newly elected leaders.

“These motorcycles were given to support service delivery, and they must be returned so that they can be reallocated to the incoming leaders,” he said.

The outgoing LC1 and LC2 chairpersons across Maruzi North are expected to hand over their offices as the newly elected leaders prepare to assume office on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

Abongo warned that leaders who refuse to return government property could face legal consequences.

“Any outgoing chairperson who fails to comply with this directive will face the consequences of the law,” he warned.

He urged outgoing local leaders to hand over office documents, equipment, bicycles and all other government property to their successors.

“We appeal to all local leaders to hand over office documents, equipment and other government property to their successors to ensure a smooth transition and continuity in leadership,” Abongo said

The Ministry of Local Government has directed town clerks and subcounty chiefs to complete the handover process and transfer responsibilities to newly elected local leaders.

Under the Uganda Public Service Standing Orders, 2021, officers leaving public service are required to hand over government property in their custody.

The regulations state that an officer leaving public service “shall handover all government properties in his or her charge.”

Government assets are also subject to accountability and proper record-keeping under the Public Finance Management Act, 2015. Abongo says the recovery of the government-provided transport facilities is necessary to ensure that the incoming leaders have the resources required to perform their duties effectively