Global Courant 2023-04-29 15:18:21
Vice-President Thomas Tayebwa has revealed that the government will not be able to increase the salaries of local government leaders for the next three years, despite the visible need to improve their welfare.
Tayebwa said the same applies to Parliament, which he said he had already been informed. “I know the issue of leader wellbeing is a big challenge, but I want to tell you that our resources are limited. I don’t want to tell you lies, because only 13.5 percent of Ugandans pay taxes. I have told this to Parliament that they should not expect a salary increase,” Tayebwa said.
Tayebwa said the government’s position is to put resources into services and thus warned that the next budget will not include a salary increase. “However, we will support you through your Saccos or Emyooga so that you can earn a side income,” he said.
Tayebwa said this during the opening of the first regional outreach of the 11th Parliament at the Mountain of the Moon Hotel, Fort Portal on Friday, April 28, 2023.
His remarks were in response to Uganda Local Government Association president Richard Rwabuhinga, who is also the chairman of the Kabarole district.
Rwabuhinga had pleaded with Parliament to increase the pay of local leaders in the upcoming budget, saying that local leaders will still be paid according to the 2011 salary scale.
He said a district chairman takes home a monthly salary of Shs 1.7 million, a sub-county leader earns Shs 370,000 while a district councilor earns Shs 250,000. “Parliament should put money in the budget, no matter how small, for the compensation of local leaders. It should look into the issue of taxing what little money is given to councilors in districts,” he said.
Ntoroko District Chairman William Kasoro complained about the late release of funds by the Treasury Department, which he said left districts with unfinished projects. we still have a few days to close the current fiscal year. This money will come towards the end of the fiscal year and we will not be able to use it,” Kasoro said.
The regional parliament’s outreaches are aimed at promoting the role legislators play in their constituencies and building strong links with local governments as the key players in the delivery of services. “Local councils will benefit from agreements with MPs; this makes it easy when they seek support from Parliament in matters such as bridging the financial gaps,” said Parliament Clerk Adolf Mwesige.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.
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