On 28 July 2026, the Electoral Commission (EC) conducted elections for Local Council One (LC 1) chairpersons across 71,214 villages in Uganda. Held using the lining-up method, the election exercise attracted a massive voter turnout of Ugandans choosing their representatives at the lowest level of local government.
For many of those elected, the real work begins now. Despite being the elected leaders closest to the residents they serve, the responsibilities of an LC 1 chairperson remain widely misunderstood. To many Ugandans, the LC 1 is the person you run to for stamping recommendation letters for jobs and whatnot, handling local disputes, arresting suspected criminals or, perhaps the most popular belief of all, taking a 10% commission off every land deal in the village.
While these perceptions have become deeply rooted over the years, they paint only a small part of the picture. The Local Governments Act establishes the LC 1 chairperson as the political head of the village and the head of the Village Executive Committee, assigning the office responsibilities beyond paperwork and dispute resolution. Here is what the law says they are.
#1. Political Head of the Village
The Local Governments Act designates the LC 1 chairperson as the political head of the village, responsible for providing political leadership, representing the village’s interests, and guiding the implementation of village council decisions.
#2. Chairs Village Council Meetings
The LC 1 chairperson presides over Village Council meetings, ensuring orderly discussions and decisions that address community needs.
#3. Monitors The Administration of The Village
The chairperson is required to monitor the administration of the village, ensuring public affairs are properly managed and local structures function effectively.
#4. Performs Duties Assigned by Law
Beyond the specific responsibilities listed in the Act, the chairperson performs other duties necessary for the proper functioning of the village or assigned under other laws.
As head of the Village Executive Committee, the LC 1 chairperson leads a team of 11 leaders, including the Vice Chairperson & eight specialised secretaries responsible for Finance, Security, Information, Education & Mobilisation, Production & Environmental Protection, Youth, Women, Persons with Disabilities, and the Elderly.
Under the Local Governments Act, the committee is responsible for:
#1. Helping Maintain Law and Order
The committee assists in maintaining law, order and security within the village; this explains why LC 1 leaders often work with police and other security agencies.
#2. Mobilising Communities for Development
The committee initiates and supports self-help projects while mobilising residents, resources and technical assistance for community development.
#3. Vetting Recruits for Security Services
The committee vets and recommends suitable village residents for recruitment into the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), the Uganda Police Force, the Uganda Prisons Service and Local Defence Units.
#4. Serving as the Link Between Government and The People
The committee connects the government, higher local governments and residents by communicating government programmes and passing community concerns to relevant authorities.
#5. Monitoring Public Administration and Projects
The committee monitors village administration, reports to higher local governments, and tracks projects by government, local governments and non-governmental organisations to ensure proper implementation.
#6. Carrying Out Other Lawful Duties
Like the chairperson, the committee performs any other duties assigned by law or necessary for carrying out its responsibilities.
What the Law Does Not Say
The Local Governments Act does not grant LC 1 chairpersons the right to collect a percentage from land transactions or charge mandatory fees for signing documents. While they may witness transactions or provide recommendations where required, the law does not make them revenue collectors.
LC 1 chairpersons may also mediate local disputes, help resolve community conflicts and report suspected crimes; these roles arise from their broader leadership position and other administrative practices, not from the specific functions listed under Sections 49 and 50 of the Local Governments Act.
In summary, Ugandan law recognises the LC 1 chairperson as the village’s political leader, community mobiliser and coordinator of local governance.
