By Spy Uganda
The Ministry of Local Government has directed local governments across Uganda to tighten transparency and accountability in their operations while taking tougher measures against underage drinking, early-morning alcohol consumption and excessive betting.
In a directive dated August 11, 2026, and addressed to all LC5 chairpersons, city mayors, division mayors and council speakers, Minister in Charge of Local Government Balaam Barugahara Ateeny directed local leaders to implement the measures with immediate effect.
One of the key directives requires all local councils to allow members of the press to attend council sittings, similar to the access granted to journalists covering Parliament.
According to the Ministry, opening council proceedings to the media is intended to promote transparency, accountability and public awareness by allowing citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business in their respective local governments.
The Ministry has also ordered all local governments to display their approved budgets on main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards.
The move is intended to give residents a clearer picture of how public funds have been allocated in their areas and enable them to monitor the implementation of government projects and services.
The directive says the measure should promote what it describes as people-led audits, transparency and accountability.
Local authorities and security agencies have further been directed to take action against bar owners, shop operators, Malwa joint operators and other alcohol sellers who supply alcohol to people below the age of 18.
The Ministry says offenders should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law, while establishments that repeatedly violate the requirement should face appropriate sanctions.
The directive places particular emphasis on protecting children from alcohol and calls for strict enforcement by local authorities and security agencies.
In another significant measure, the Ministry has directed that bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00pm on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations.
Local leaders have also been urged to discourage early-morning alcohol consumption and work with security agencies and enforcement teams to ensure that alcohol outlets do not operate in a manner that encourages people to spend their mornings drinking instead of working.
The Ministry says the measure is aimed at addressing idleness, family problems and crime associated with excessive alcohol consumption while promoting a more productive and responsible population.
Bars and alcohol outlets that repeatedly disregard lawful operating-hour directives should be closed, with appropriate enforcement action taken against persistent offenders.
The directive extends regulation to betting operations, with local governments instructed to regulate the operating hours of betting companies within their jurisdictions in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The Ministry says the move is intended to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting.
To ensure implementation, joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities have been directed to support local governments in enforcing the measures.
LC5 chairpersons, mayors and council speakers have been told to personally take leadership in implementing the directives and report any challenges through the appropriate channels.
The Ministry said the measures are intended to put the interests of citizens first by strengthening transparency and accountability in local government, protecting children, encouraging productivity and restoring discipline in communities.
