Gulu City Mayor His Worship Acire Julius Labeja Gunya on Thursday 13, 2026 urged the new local leaders to embrace their responsibilities with commitment, integrity and a strong sense of service.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremonies of newly elected LC1 and LC2 chairpersons for Bardege–Layibi and Laroo–Pece City Divisions, the mayor emphasized the critical role grassroots leaders play in driving development, maintaining security and ensuring effective service delivery within their communities.
According to the mayor, the election period has come to an end and leaders must now shift their focus to serving the people. He advised the newly elected officials to dedicate 80 percent of their time to administration and only 20 percent to politics, stressing the importance of understanding their mandates and working closely with relevant stakeholders to address community needs.
Acire also cautioned leaders against signing or stamping documents without fully understanding their contents. He warned that careless decisions could lead to legal consequences and undermine public trust. The mayor further called for zero tolerance towards corruption, complacency and any form of misconduct in public service.
On matters of security, he encouraged LC1 leaders to be vigilant and proactive in reporting security concerns. He urged them to maintain accurate records of residents and visitors in their respective areas and to work closely with security agencies and local security structures.
The mayor also recommended involving veterans in community security committees to strengthen grassroots security efforts.
The mayor tasked local leaders with monitoring the implementation of government programmes and the quality of public services in their communities.
He specifically highlighted the need to oversee roads, schools, health facilities, boreholes and markets to ensure that residents receive the services they deserve.
In addition, Acire called on leaders to support efforts to secure land for the establishment of an industrial park in Gulu City. He said the proposed project would enhance skills development, create employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth, particularly for the city's youth.
Addressing environmental cleanliness, the mayor reminded residents and leaders about the National Cleaning Day observed on the last Saturday of every month. He announced that the next exercise will take place on August 29, 2026, and urged every household to maintain a rubbish pit and a latrine as part of efforts to improve sanitation and public health.
To promote accountability and excellence at the grassroots level, Acire unveiled the annual Mayor’s Award for the Best Performing Cell. He said the competition, which officially commenced on Thursday, will recognize and reward outstanding performance among local communities while encouraging better service delivery across the city.
The swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter for the elected local leaders, who have been entrusted with the responsibility of strengthening governance, improving service delivery and advancing development at the community level.
