Powers of the District Council
The system of local government is based on the district as a unit under which are lower local governments and administrative units. The local governments in a district rural area are:
- the district council
- the subcounty councils.
If you live in a city, the local governments there are —
- the city council
- the city division councils
- the municipal council
- the municipal division councils.
According the Local government Law, a city is an equivalent to a district. This is why Kampala City can have a whole structure of local government under the Kampala City Council Act.
This means that a city is equivalent to a district, and a city council exercises all functions and powers conferred upon a district council within its area of jurisdiction.
A division is equivalent to a subcounty, for example if you live in Nakawa, Nakawa is a division the sub-county. Nakawa Division also performs the same functions as a subcounty.
When it comes to municipalities and towns they act like lower local governments. Article 197 of the Constitution and section 79 of local government law state that a municipal or a town council is considered as a lower local government of the district in which it is situated.
Also, you can sue your local government if you are not happy with them or their projects.