By Ronnie Wabomba
MBALE CITY
Newly elected LC1 and LC2 chairpersons in Mbale City Northern Division have been urged to serve residents without political bias and understand the limits of their powers when handling community disputes, especially land matters.
The leaders were inducted on Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Namakwekwe Social Centre Hall in a meeting organized by Mbale City’s Resident City Commissioner, George William Wopuwa following the recent local elections.
Mbale City Woman Member of Parliament and Minister of State for Public Service, Lydia Wanyoto Mutende urged the 274 LC1 chairpersons to work together with other leaders and put political differences aside, congratulating them upon wining the hotly contested elections.
Wanyoto said the leaders should serve all residents regardless of how they voted. She also encouraged residents to apply for government jobs whenever opportunities are advertised and warned against corruption in recruitment. She said government would not allow people to remain in acting positions for more than six months.
Wanyoto also asked the LC leaders to support preparations for the upcoming World Tourism Day celebrations in Mbale City and promote the area’s tourism, culture and heritage.
Mbale City Northern Division MP, Umar Nangoli, who also chairs the Mbale City Roads Committee, said the induction will help the LC leaders to understand their roles and responsibilities.
Nangoli cautioned them against exceeding their powers when handling land disputes and said the new Mbale City Land Board should ensure that its work is done effectively. He also said the Shs5 billion allocated by government for road works will be put to proper use during his tenure and pledged to follow up on 10 acres of Busamaga Forest, which he revealed had been illegally distributed among a few individuals.
RCC Wopuwa cautioned the leaders against unnecessary use of official stamps and asked them to keep copies of all stamped documents in their files. He also warned them against handing their stamps to secretaries, saying the stamps should be used responsibly in the execution of their duties.
Northern Division Town Clerk, Okuna Irene said the induction was intended to equip the LC leaders with knowledge about their mandates and responsibilities.
Okuna described LC leaders as the first line of defence against crime and urged them to verify new residents, monitor their communities and help resolve minor disputes before they escalate. She said LC courts have jurisdiction over certain civil matters, including debts of up to Shs2 million, customary land disputes, minor assaults and child-related disputes, but do not handle capital offences or cases involving titled land.
Northern Division DPC, Sunday Mubarak urged the newly elected leaders to use their powers responsibly and work closely with police to strengthen security. He asked them to revive and strengthen village security committees, noting that members of communities often have information about criminals operating in their areas.
Chief State Attorney, Aliwaali Kizito warned the leaders against participating in mob justice, conspiracy in crimes, authorizing double sales of property and issuing letters of surety to people whose residency they have not verified. Kizito also urged LC leaders to support courts by helping identify witnesses and to operate as a full committee during their mandated working hours.
