KAMPALA — The Minister in Charge of Local Government, Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has issued sweeping directives to local government leaders aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability, promoting community productivity and tightening regulation of alcohol and betting operations.
In a directive dated August 11, 2026, addressed to all LC5 chairpersons, city mayors, division mayors and council speakers, Barugahara ordered local governments to immediately implement a series of measures affecting council proceedings, public access to budgets and the operation of alcohol and betting businesses.
One of the key directives requires local councils to allow members of the press to attend council sittings, drawing a direct comparison with Parliament, where journalists have access to proceedings.
According to the Minister, opening council sittings to the media will promote transparency, accountability and public awareness by enabling citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business in their respective local governments.
The Minister also directed local governments to display their approved budgets on main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards.
The measure, he said, will allow members of the public to know what has been budgeted for their respective communities and follow up on the implementation of projects and services.
Barugahara said the public display of budgets would also promote what he described as “people-led audits,” transparency and accountability.
Crackdown on underage drinking
The directive also places fresh emphasis on protecting persons under the age of 18 from alcohol.
Bar owners, shop owners and operators of Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments who sell or supply alcohol to persons under 18 have been directed to face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
Local authorities and security agencies have been instructed to strictly enforce the requirement, while establishments that repeatedly violate the law could face additional sanctions.
Bars told to open after 3PM
In another significant measure, Barugahara directed local leaders to discourage early-morning alcohol consumption, linking excessive drinking to idleness, family problems and rising crime in communities.
He further directed that bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
The Minister said the measure is intended to encourage people to spend their mornings working and engaging in productive activities rather than drinking.
Local governments have also been instructed to enforce lawful operating-hour directives, with repeated defiance potentially leading to closure and other enforcement action against persistent offenders.
Betting hours to be regulated
The directive extends beyond alcohol to the betting sector, with local governments instructed to regulate the operating hours of betting companies within their jurisdictions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Barugahara said the objective is to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting.
The implementation is expected to involve joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities.
The Minister also directed local government leaders to personally take charge of implementation and report challenges through the appropriate channels.
The directive concludes with a call for local leaders to prioritise public interests, strengthen transparency and accountability, protect children, encourage productivity and “restore discipline” in communities.
The communication was copied to the Vice President, Prime Minister, Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament.
