Lamwo | Aryek Kavin has made history after being elected Local Council (LC1) chairperson of Atwol B village in Atwol parish, Padibe town council, Lamwo district, becoming the only woman among four candidates to win the village’s top leadership position.
Her election has been widely welcomed by residents, who described the outcome as a strong endorsement of women’s ability to lead at the grassroots level and a positive step towards inclusive local governance.
The election, conducted peacefully under the supervision of the Electoral Commission, attracted four candidates vying for the position of LC1 chairperson.
According to the official declaration made by the presiding officer, Mwaka Bosco, Aryek Kavin secured 58 votes to defeat three male contenders.
The final results were: Aryek Kavin who gathered 58 votes Opira Julius got 48 votes while Odonga Solomon got 23 votes and Ocaya Churchill Mile got 3 votes
The Electoral Commission register showed that Atwol B village had 162 registered voters, comprising 101 women and 61 men.
Following the declaration of results by Mwaka Bosco, the Presiding officer for Atwol B village, residents celebrated the victory, saying it reflected the confidence voters had placed in Aryek Kavin’s leadership qualities rather than her gender.
Community members expressed optimism that the newly elected chairperson will promote unity, work closely with all residents including her former competitors and prioritize improved service delivery, peaceful coexistence, and local development.
Under Uganda’s Local Government framework, the LC1 chairperson heads the Village Executive Committee and is responsible for coordinating community development, maintaining law and order, mobilising residents for government programmes, and serving as the first point of contact in local governance.
The elected chairperson is also mandated to nominate members of the Village Executive Committee from among elected Village Council members. These nominees must be approved individually by the Village Council through a show-of-hands vote.
The executive committee includes: Vice Chairperson, who also serves as Secretary for Children’s Welfare, General Secretary, Secretary for Information, Education and Mobilisation, Secretary for Security, Secretary for Finance and Secretary for Production and Environmental Protection.
In addition, several committee members automatically become part of the Village Executive Committee by virtue of holding leadership positions in special interest groups.
These include; Chairperson of the Village Youth Council, who serves as Secretary for Youth, Chairperson of the Village Women Council, who serves as Secretary for Women and Public Health Coordinator.
Others are Chairperson representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), who serves as Secretary for PWD Affairs; and Chairperson of the Village Council of Older Persons, who serves as Secretary for Older Persons.
The election formed part of Uganda’s nationwide LC1 electoral process organised by the Electoral Commission to strengthen grassroots governance and enhance citizen participation in local decision-making.
The Electoral Commission has consistently urged all candidates, political parties, and stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the electoral laws and guidelines governing village elections.
The Commission notes that the electoral programme follows a progressive structure, beginning at the village level and moving upward through parish, sub-county, district, and national structures.
Compliance with the legal framework is intended to ensure transparent, peaceful, and credible elections while helping elected leaders understand their responsibilities before, during, and after the electoral process.
The Commission has also encouraged political parties and organisations to conduct internal preparations, including the timely selection of flag bearers, to ensure smooth participation throughout the electoral programme.
Aryek Kavin’s victory places her among the relatively few women leading village councils in the area, underscoring the growing participation of women in grassroots leadership.
Residents believe her election could inspire more women to contest future local elections and contribute to decision-making processes within their communities.
As she begins her tenure, expectations remain high that her leadership will foster unity, accountability, and community-driven development while demonstrating that effective leadership is determined by commitment, integrity, and public trust rather than gender.
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