Balaam Orders Local Gov’ts to Open Council Meetings to Media
The Ministry of Local Government has directed local governments to allow journalists access to all council sittings and display approved budgets publicly as part of new measures aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability. The directives were issued by Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi on August 10, 2026, to all LC5 chairpersons, city mayors, division mayors and council speakers, and take immediate effect.
“All councils should allow members of the press access to council sittings, just as Parliament allows media access to its proceedings,” Barugahara said. He said the measure is intended to promote transparency and accountability and enable citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business in their respective local governments.
The minister also ordered local governments to display their approved budgets on main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards. “This will enable members of the public to know what has been budgeted for their respective areas and follow up on the implementation of projects and services, thereby promoting people-led audits, transparency and accountability,” he said.
The directives also target alcohol consumption, with local leaders ordered to discourage early-morning drinking and ensure that alcohol outlets operate within lawful hours. “Local leaders should take the lead in discouraging early-morning alcohol consumption and work with security agencies and enforcement teams to ensure that bars and alcohol outlets do not operate in a manner that encourages people to spend their mornings drinking instead of working,” Barugahara said.
Bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments have been directed not to open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations. “Bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations,” the minister said.
Barugahara said the measures are intended to address “idleness, family problems and rising crime associated with excessive alcohol consumption in some communities” while promoting a productive and responsible population. He also directed authorities to crack down on the sale of alcohol to minors. “Bar owners, shop owners and operators of Malwa joints or other alcohol-selling establishments who sell or supply alcohol to persons under 18 years of age should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
The minister further directed that alcohol outlets that repeatedly defy lawful operating-hour directives should be closed and appropriate enforcement action taken against persistent offenders. On betting, Barugahara directed local governments to regulate the operating hours of betting companies in their respective jurisdictions in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
He said the measure is intended to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting. Joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities will support local governments in implementing and enforcing the directives.
Barugahara directed responsible local government leaders to take personal leadership in ensuring compliance and report challenges encountered during implementation through the appropriate channels. The ministry said the measures are intended to “promote transparency and accountability in local government, protect our children, encourage productivity and restore discipline in our communities.”
“All councils should allow members of the press access to council sittings, just as Parliament allows media access to its proceedings,” Barugahara said. He said the measure is intended to promote transparency and accountability and enable citizens to follow debates, decisions and the conduct of public business in their respective local governments.
The minister also ordered local governments to display their approved budgets on main council notice boards and other accessible public notice boards. “This will enable members of the public to know what has been budgeted for their respective areas and follow up on the implementation of projects and services, thereby promoting people-led audits, transparency and accountability,” he said.
The directives also target alcohol consumption, with local leaders ordered to discourage early-morning drinking and ensure that alcohol outlets operate within lawful hours. “Local leaders should take the lead in discouraging early-morning alcohol consumption and work with security agencies and enforcement teams to ensure that bars and alcohol outlets do not operate in a manner that encourages people to spend their mornings drinking instead of working,” Barugahara said.
Bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments have been directed not to open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations. “Bars, Malwa joints and other alcohol-selling establishments should not open before 3:00 p.m. on working days, subject to applicable national laws, licensing requirements and lawful local government regulations,” the minister said.
Barugahara said the measures are intended to address “idleness, family problems and rising crime associated with excessive alcohol consumption in some communities” while promoting a productive and responsible population. He also directed authorities to crack down on the sale of alcohol to minors. “Bar owners, shop owners and operators of Malwa joints or other alcohol-selling establishments who sell or supply alcohol to persons under 18 years of age should be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.
The minister further directed that alcohol outlets that repeatedly defy lawful operating-hour directives should be closed and appropriate enforcement action taken against persistent offenders. On betting, Barugahara directed local governments to regulate the operating hours of betting companies in their respective jurisdictions in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
He said the measure is intended to protect communities, particularly young people, from harmful practices associated with excessive betting. Joint security teams, council enforcement officers and other relevant authorities will support local governments in implementing and enforcing the directives.
Barugahara directed responsible local government leaders to take personal leadership in ensuring compliance and report challenges encountered during implementation through the appropriate channels. The ministry said the measures are intended to “promote transparency and accountability in local government, protect our children, encourage productivity and restore discipline in our communities.”
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