Leaders in Mpigi District have raised concerns over alleged attempts by wealthy land brokers and money lenders to influence upcoming LC1 chairperson elections.
They warn that individuals with commercial interests in land may be financing selected candidates to gain control over village leadership structures.
Local leaders from Kayabwe Town Council and Kituntu Sub-county said the amount of money entering the campaigns was unusual for village-level elections.
They fear that candidates backed by powerful financiers could later use LC1 offices to advance private land interests at the expense of residents.
The leaders claim unfamiliar wealthy individuals began appearing in local communities shortly after the Ministry of Local Government released the LC1 election roadmap.
They believe some of the individuals are land brokers who have since provided financial and logistical support to selected candidates.
Former Kituntu Sub-county councillor Lawrence Mutebi said the sudden activity had raised suspicion among residents and local officials.
“Before the elections were announced, these people were hardly visible. But immediately after government confirmed the LC1 elections, wealthy land brokers suddenly emerged from nowhere. We don’t know where they have come from or what their intentions are,” Mutebi said.
He alleged that some candidates were spending large amounts of money during their campaigns, prompting questions about the source of the funds.
Candidates allegedly backed to control village stamps
Kituntu NRM chairperson Johnbosco Serwadda alleged that land brokers and money lenders had sponsored candidates to increase their influence over village affairs.
“We are worried because land brokers have sponsored their own candidates, giving them money and everything they need to win these elections. Their goal is to secure the village stamp and use it to frustrate residents,” Serwadda said.
He claimed the financiers were mainly supporting candidates contesting against incumbent LC1 chairpersons who had previously resisted their activities.
“Where an LC1 chairperson has never challenged them, they have not fielded a candidate. But anyone who has blocked their interests now has a heavily funded opponent. That is the pattern we are seeing,” Serwadda said.
The allegations have not been independently verified, and the individuals accused of financing the candidates were not named in the account.
Local leaders said control of an LC1 office could give private interests greater influence over land transactions and disputes.
They fear village stamps could be used to support questionable land claims, evictions or property seizures.
“If residents vote for these candidates because of money, the village stamp will end up in the hands of land brokers. We fear this could lead to increased land grabbing, illegal evictions, and property seizures,” the leaders alleged.
They urged residents to assess the candidates’ ability to defend community interests rather than voting based on campaign money.
“People can see the money being distributed, and they know who is behind it. We ask residents to vote wisely because once the elections are over, those same people may regret their decisions,” the leaders said.
Rising land values increase competition for influence
Mpigi District has experienced growing demand for land because of its proximity to Kampala and continued urban expansion.
The trend has made land one of the area’s most valuable assets and increased competition among buyers, brokers and developers.
Local leaders believe the rising commercial value of land has also increased interest in LC1 offices.
Village chairpersons play an important role in community leadership and often provide local-level verification during land transactions and disputes.
The leaders said residents must protect village institutions from individuals seeking to use them for private commercial interests.