By Denis Mukisa
The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kayunga, Jimmy Nsimbi Mugwanya, has called on young people to register to vote and shun violence ahead of the Local Council I (LC1) elections scheduled for July 28.
Mugwanya said the elections present an important opportunity for citizens, especially the youth, to participate in choosing leaders who will directly oversee governance, security and development at the village level.
He urged eligible voters to ensure they are included in the voters’ register before the registration deadline and warned individuals or groups intending to disrupt the electoral process that security agencies are prepared to enforce the law.
“The law is ready for anyone who intends to interfere with the electoral process. I urge young people not to allow themselves to be used to cause violence but instead to participate peacefully and responsibly,” Mugwanya said.
The LC1 elections will be conducted in more than 71,000 villages across Uganda, with voters electing village chairpersons who serve as the first point of leadership in their communities.
Mugwanya noted that LC1 chairpersons and their executive committees play a critical role in maintaining peace and order by resolving minor disputes, coordinating community activities and handling local administrative matters through village courts and council meetings.
He said because these leaders live within the communities they serve, they are able to respond quickly to residents’ concerns, making the credibility and peaceful conduct of the elections essential for grassroots stability.
The RDC appealed to candidates, supporters and voters to maintain calm throughout the campaign period and after the declaration of results, saying the elections should unite rather than divide communities.
He further encouraged young people to support responsible leaders who can promote peace, security and development in their villages.
Mugwanya emphasized that participating in the LC1 elections is not only a civic duty but also an opportunity for the youth to influence decisions on local security, dispute resolution and community development projects that directly affect their daily lives.
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