The Bishop of Anglican Sebei Diocese, Rt. Rev. Paul Masaba Kipto, has called on communities across the Sebei sub-region to elect God-fearing Local Council One (LC1) chairpersons, saying such leaders will promote peace, deliver quality services, and effectively represent the interests of their communities.
Bishop Kipto made the remarks on Sunday, 11, while presiding over a service at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Kapchorwa, where he urged Christians and other voters to carefully choose leaders who possess integrity, humility, and a commitment to serving the people. The bishop said leaders who fear God are guided by the Holy Spirit and understand the true meaning of servant leadership, enabling them to prioritize the welfare of their electorates over personal interests.
Drawing from 1 Peter 5:2-3, which states, “Shepherd God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock,” Kipto said the scripture provides a clear model for leadership at all levels of society.
According to the bishop, LC1 chairpersons occupy one of the most important leadership positions because they are the first point of contact between citizens and government. He noted that village leaders play a critical role in resolving disputes, mobilizing communities for development programmes, promoting security, and ensuring peaceful coexistence among residents. He said communities should elect leaders who are willing to serve selflessly and uphold values of honesty, accountability, and fairness.
“The people should elect leaders who fear God because such leaders understand that leadership is a calling to serve. When a leader is guided by Christian values and respect for humanity, the community benefits through peace, accountability, and development. We need leaders who will be examples to the people they serve,” Kipto said. The bishop added that grassroots leadership requires stewardship and dedication, noting that village elections provide an opportunity for citizens to choose leaders capable of fostering development and unity within their communities.
His call comes as villages across Uganda prepare for Local Council elections, which are regarded as the foundation of grassroots governance. LC1 chairpersons are responsible for handling community disputes, mobilizing residents for government programmes, coordinating local security initiatives, and representing village concerns to higher administrative levels. Alfred Bosco Chericha, an opinion leader in Sebei, said voters should look beyond political affiliations and consider the character and leadership record of candidates seeking office.
Chericha observed that some villages in the region have previously experienced disunity and conflicts because certain leaders handled community matters without adequate consultation and failed to follow established legal procedures. According to him, some village leaders have in the past allowed personal interests, family loyalties, and favoritism to influence decision-making, resulting in mistrust and divisions among residents.
“One of the challenges we have witnessed in some villages is leaders making decisions without consulting the people and without considering the laws of Uganda. Leadership should not be about personal interests or settling scores. We need leaders who understand their calling, respect the law, listen to the community, and work to unite people rather than divide them,” Chericha said.
He noted that effective village leadership requires transparency, inclusiveness, and adherence to the Constitution and laws of Uganda, emphasizing that leaders should always seek consensus when handling matters that affect the wider community. Chericha urged residents to use the forthcoming elections to elect leaders who can strengthen community cohesion, promote development, and ensure that village governance serves the interests of all residents.
Leaders and residents in Sebei say the upcoming LC1 elections will play a crucial role in shaping grassroots governance and offer communities an opportunity to choose leaders capable of advancing development, maintaining peace, and improving service delivery at the village level-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
