BREAKING!! Uganda’s Local Government Workers Petition Parliament, Demand Fair Treatment, Salary Reforms, and Accountability from Government

Uganda’s Local Government employees, through the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union (ULGWU), have petitioned Parliament over years of neglect, broken promises, and unfair treatment by the government. The petition, presented by Workers’ MP Hon. Dr. Byakatonda Abdulhu, details how thousands of staff remain underpaid, unrecognized, and demoralized despite prior government commitments.

A central issue is salary inequality. Under the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement, all public servants were promised phased salary enhancements. Yet only select groups—scientists, doctors, engineers, judicial officers, and arts teachers—have benefited, earning between four and eight million shillings, while equally qualified local government staff, including planners, auditors, finance officers, and community development officers, earn less than one million shillings. The union asserts that this selective approach has fostered frustration and division across the civil service.

The union also criticizes the mismanagement of funds meant for development. Significant amounts have been allocated to programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), sometimes appearing to reward illiteracy or poor school attendance, while high-profile projects like Lubowa Specialized Hospital have become channels for siphoning public resources. Meanwhile, Members of Parliament, many of whom are Form Six leavers, earn salaries exceeding 37 million shillings with generous allowances, fringe benefits, and foreign trips, highlighting the stark disparity between frontline workers and political elites.

Stalled promotions remain another major grievance. Numerous local government staff have remained in the same grade for over a decade, with some retiring without ever advancing. Cases of favoritism, where relatives of politicians are promoted over more qualified officers, undermine meritocracy and service delivery.

The petition also raises concerns over the continued failure to implement the check-off system, which allows automatic deduction and remittance of union dues. Despite directives from the Ministry of Public Service, many local governments refuse to comply, weakening the union financially and hindering its ability to safeguard members’ rights. The union argues that this violates constitutional rights to association and collective bargaining, as well as international labor standards.

The workers warn that ongoing neglect could compromise key government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, Youth Livelihood Programme, and Senior Citizens’ Grant, all of which depend on motivated local government staff.

The union’s demands to Parliament include immediate reinstatement of the check-off system, extension of salary enhancements to all local government employees in 2025/2026, payment of arrears dating back to 2018, implementation of a clear, merit-based promotion policy, and legislation to reduce extreme wage disparities in the public service.

The workers stress that they are not seeking favors but fairness and recognition. By petitioning Parliament, Uganda’s local government staff are calling for justice, inclusivity, and restoration of trust between the government and the frontline workforce.