Lira, Uganda | Aspirants for Village Local Council One (LC1) chairperson positions in Lira City have pledged improved service delivery, stronger security and inclusive leadership as nationwide nominations for the July 28, 2026 elections got underway.
Speaking shortly after his nomination at the Lira City East Division headquarters on Wednesday, Moses Eyen, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Ireda Central Park Cell, said he is seeking another term after what he described as a successful tenure in office. Addressing supporters at Yendo School of Catering and Hotel Management, Eyen said government programmes, particularly the Parish Development Model (PDM), had been implemented successfully in his cell under his leadership.
Eyen said one of the notable initiatives introduced during his leadership, while serving as the head of all LC1 chairpersons in Lira City East Division, required every new tenant moving into the area to present a recommendation letter from their previous place of residence. He said the measure strengthened community security and accountability.
He urged fellow contestants to view the LC1 office as a platform for community service rather than personal gain, stressing that the position is voluntary and requires leaders to serve all residents equally, regardless of their religion, tribe or political affiliation.
According to Eyen, criminal activities such as theft and burglary, which had previously plagued Central Park Cell, had significantly declined during his tenure due to stronger community policing and cooperation with residents.
However, his main challenger, Ramathan Otim, who is contesting as an independent candidate, accused Eyen’s supporters of intimidation during the nomination exercise. Otim alleged that his campaign posters had been torn down, his agents assaulted, and stones thrown at his convoy as he returned home after being nominated.
Otim also challenged Eyen’s claims on security, arguing that crime remained a major concern in Central Park Cell. He said residents deserved leadership that would genuinely defend their rights and effectively tackle the insecurity affecting the community.
Elsewhere, Lawrence Elvis Omara, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) candidate for LC1 chairperson of Abongoden Cell in Lira City East Division, said he joined the race after identifying shortcomings in the previous leadership. Omara, who lost in the last elections, said he was returning with renewed determination to address those gaps and improve service delivery to residents.
The Electoral Commission officially opened nominations for Village LC1 chairperson candidates on Wednesday, July 15, with the exercise expected to run until Sunday, July 19. Campaigns will take place from July 20 to July 27 ahead of polling on Tuesday, July 28, when voters will elect their leaders through the traditional method of lining up behind candidates, their portraits, or symbols.