MOYO STAKEHOLDERS CONDEMN COMMERCIALIZATION OF LC1 STAMPS
Stamp
By Anyidi Emmanuel
Moyo
Stakeholders and community members in Moyo District have condemned what they describe as the commercialization of LC1 stamps, saying the practice amounts to extortion of residents seeking basic local council services.
The concerns follow complaints from members of the public who say obtaining documents and recommendation letters from some LC1 chairpersons often requires payment.
Bayoa Lillian, a resident of Onyire East Village in Logoba Parish, says she once paid five thousand shillings to an LC1 chairperson for a recommendation letter.
According to Bayoa, she was told the money was meant to cover the cost of a pen and paper.
However, Isoma Martin, the former District Local Councilor for Aluru Sub-county, has defended the practice, saying LC1 chairpersons are not commercializing their stamps but are instead receiving small facilitation from people seeking recommendation letters.
Isoma says the contributions help supplement the modest ex-gratia payments LC1 chairpersons receive from the government on a quarterly basis.
Meanwhile, Angu Joseph, the LC1 Chairperson of Vurra Opi Village in Moyo Sub-county, says he does not charge residents seeking recommendation letters.
Angu adds that the Minister of Local Government issued a directive barring LC1 chairpersons from charging residents or taking a percentage from land transactions.
Speaking on the matter, Anyama Charles, the Principal Town Clerk of Laropi Town Council, has challenged LC1 chairpersons to stop charging fees on land transactions, arguing that such charges are not provided for under Uganda’s Local Government Act.
The concerns have renewed calls for greater accountability and clarity on the services that LC1 chairpersons are legally permitted to charge for. Stakeholders say residents should be able to access basic local council services without facing unauthorized fees, while LC1 leaders should be adequately facilitated to perform their duties.
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