“Museveni Stays, I Stay”: Ibanda LC I Chairperson Seeks Another Term After 40 Years in Office

What the report says

Nile Post reported that Ssali Kyeyune, a 67-year-old Local Council I chairperson in Ibanda Municipality, is seeking another term after nearly four decades in village leadership. Kyeyune, who leads Katoma I Cell in Kagongo Division, has reportedly held the post continuously since 1986 and says he intends to keep contesting as long as President Yoweri Museveni remains in office.

According to the report, Kyeyune argues that experience is still important in grassroots administration and that long-serving leaders can help maintain order, continuity and mentorship for younger people. He said he is not opposed to generational change, but would only support a successor he considers capable and committed to serving residents effectively.

His comments come during campaigns for nationwide LC I elections, with polling for village chairpersons set for July 28. Nile Post cited the Electoral Commission’s timetable showing nominations from July 15 to July 19, campaigns from July 20 to July 27, Village Women Committee elections on July 23, and Parish LC II chairperson elections on August 10. The commission says the LC I polls cover 71,214 villages.

The elections matter because LC I structures are Uganda’s lowest formal administrative units and are central to community mobilisation, local dispute handling and basic governance. Nile Post also noted that LC I candidates do not need formal academic qualifications or nomination fees, and that voting will use the open queue system in which voters line up behind their preferred candidate, representative, portrait or symbol.