GOVERNMENT URGED TO TRAIN LOCAL COUNCIL LEADERS TO REVIVE LC COURTS

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The government has been urged to strengthen the capacity of Local Council (LC) leaders to enable the effective operationalization of Local Council Courts, which play a vital role in resolving minor disputes, promoting reconciliation, and maintaining peace at the grassroots.

The Local Council Courts Act, 2006 establishes Local Council Courts at village, parish, sub-county, and division levels to handle minor civil disputes and certain offences. The courts are mandated to promote accessible and affordable justice by resolving cases within communities before they escalate to higher courts.

Under the law, Local Council Courts have powers to issue orders relating to compensation, reconciliation, declarations, restitution, apologies, costs, and the attachment and sale of property, among other remedies. But Deogratias Bwanika, the

Chairperson of Butenga Sub-county in Bukomansimbi District, says many of these courts remain largely dormant because many Local Council leaders lack adequate knowledge of the legal framework and the procedures governing their operations, making it difficult for them to effectively discharge their judicial responsibilities.

Bwanika says the government should make deliberate efforts to equip LC leaders with basic legal knowledge and practical skills to administer justice within their communities. According to him, the lack of capacity has forced many residents to report simple disputes directly to the police or magistrates’ courts instead of first seeking redress through the Local Council Courts.

This, he says, contributes to unnecessary case backlog in the formal justice system. He adds that even where some Local Council leaders attempt to convene court sessions, proceedings are often conducted without following the procedures prescribed by law, raising concerns about the quality and legality of the decisions reached.

Bwanika also wants the government to translate key laws governing Local Council Courts into local languages, arguing that this would make the legislation easier for grassroots leaders to understand, interpret, and apply correctly.

Frank Mwebaze, the Chairperson of Katwe Cell, says fully operational Local Council Courts would strengthen the authority of local leaders while increasing public confidence in grassroots governance. He notes that Local Council leaders are often the first point of contact for citizens seeking solutions to community disputes and should therefore be empowered with the knowledge and resources needed to resolve matters effectively.

Mwebaze also appealed to the government to put in place practical measures to revitalise Local Councils by building their institutional capacity and enabling them to address issues affecting their communities.

The renewed calls come shortly after the Electoral Commission conducted nationwide elections for Local Council I chairpersons, ushering in a new crop of village leaders expected to spearhead grassroots governance.

The elections ended a prolonged leadership gap after the previous LC I and LC II leaders, who were elected in 2018 for a five-year term, remained in office beyond the expiry of their mandate in 2023 due to delays in organising fresh elections.

Stakeholders believe the election of new leaders presents an opportunity for the government to invest in capacity building, ensuring Local Council Courts become functional and capable of delivering timely, accessible, and community-based justice.