Ugandan journalist, community leader, and public servant Mike Ssegawa drawing on his extensive background in grassroots organizing and his administrative experience as a deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC)—has authored a practical handbook to equip Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively lead their communities.

Titled The LC1 Chairman’s Handbook: How to Transform Your Village into an Engine of Peace, Justice, and Development, the publication serves as a simplified field guide for grassroots leaders. Bringing together his perspectives as both a former journalist and a central government representative dealing with grassroots administration, Ssegawa notes that the handbook directly addresses the everyday operational, security, and administrative challenges faced by village leaders. He has pledged to distribute it free of charge to LC1 chairpersons across the country.

The handbook comprises 12 chapters covering the core responsibilities of village leaders. Topics include leadership and ethics, the legal limits of the LC1 court, village security, grassroots justice, local economic development, public health, emergency response, meeting management, and the revival of bulungi bwansi (community voluntary work). It also provides practical tools such as official registers, forms, templates, a 12-month village transformation calendar, and simplified guides to the Succession Act and the Marriage Act.

Drawing closely from his public service insights—including working hand-in-hand with local councils to maintain law, order, and government policy implementation—Ssegawa emphasizes coordination between village leadership and Resident District/City Commissioners (RDCs/RCCs). He highlights how seamless communication between LC1 chairpersons and security monitors like RDCs is vital for proactive village security, dispute tracking, and proper government program delivery at the grassroots.

In the opening chapter, The Mind of a Transforming Leader, Ssegawa urges LC1 chairpersons to embrace servant leadership rather than viewing the office as a symbol of power. He cautions that leaders who expect unquestioned authority and distance themselves from residents undermine the purpose of grassroots governance. Instead, he argues, effective leadership is built on empathy, accessibility, integrity, and sound judgment.

“You are not a king; you are a caretaker,” Ssegawa writes, emphasizing that genuine authority is earned through service rather than intimidation.

The handbook also explains the constitutional and legal foundation of the LC1 office, describing it as the first point of contact between citizens and government under Uganda’s Constitution and the Local Government Act.

Ssegawa says the publication is intended to serve as a practical reference for both newly elected and serving LC1 chairpersons, helping them strengthen governance, foster cooperation with district security and administrative offices like the RDCs, promote peaceful dispute resolution, and accelerate community development at the village level.

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PRESIDENT MUSEVENI URGES EUROPEAN INVESTORS TO TAP INTO UGANDA’S ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged European investors to take advantage of Uganda’s economic opportunities, particularly in infrastructure, energy, manufacturing and agriculture, saying investment in productive sectors is key to expanding markets, creating jobs and accelerating economic transformation. The President made the remarks today at State House Entebbe during a meeting with European Union Ambassadors and investors, where he highlighted Africa’s growing population and expanding market as a major opportunity for European businesses seeking investment and stronger economic partnerships. “This is what we have been advising our European friends to look at, because Africa is a big potential market with its fast-growing population,” he said. President Museveni attributed political instability in some African countries partly to identity-based politics, including tribalism, religious divisions and ideological misunderstandings, as well as a failure to appreciate the role of the private sector in driving economic growth. He said Uganda had learnt from these challenges and emphasised the need for a stable political and economic environment that enables private businesses to invest, expand production and create employment. The President welcomed ongoing and proposed European investments in Uganda, particularly in infrastructure and other productive sectors, saying such projects would strengthen economic links between Uganda and the European market. “All these projects are music to my ears. By constructing these projects here, you are linking the market of Uganda to that of Europe. Why can’t anyone see that?” he asked. On energy, President Museveni said the cost of electricity remained a critical factor in Uganda’s competitiveness, particularly for manufacturers seeking to produce goods at affordable prices. While welcoming private-sector investment in hydropower generation, he called for greater attention to electricity tariffs, arguing that affordable power was essential for industrial expansion and economic growth. He identified affordable electricity, railway transport and accessible financing for productive investments as key priorities for strengthening Uganda’s manufacturing sector. The President cited the Uganda Development Bank as an important source of financing for businesses engaged in productive activities, explaining that the government had retained the institution to support investments capable of expanding production and creating jobs. He also urged the European Investment Bank to channel more financing into strategic infrastructure, particularly railway development, electricity generation and distribution, and selected road projects. On road infrastructure, President Museveni encouraged European investors to explore opportunities in construction and financing models, including tolling arrangements where appropriate. The President also reaffirmed the government’s support for tax incentives aimed at attracting investment, particularly in manufacturing, and emphasised the importance of enabling eligible businesses to benefit from a 10-year tax holiday. ...

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