Uganda’s Local Gov’t Workers Petition Parliament Over Years Of Neglect, Broken Promises, Delayed Salaries & Unfair Treatment By Gov’t

Uganda’s Local Government workers, 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, highlights how thousands of employees remain underpaid, unrecognized, and demoralized despite government commitments.

Central to the dispute is salary disparity. 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, remain at less than one million shillings. The union argues that this selective approach has created frustration and division across the civil service.

The union also criticizes how funds intended for development are being mismanaged. Large sums have been poured into programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), often appearing to reward illiteracy or non-attendance in schools, while high-profile projects such as Lubowa Specialized Hospital have become conduits for siphoning public resources. Meanwhile, Members of Parliament many of whom are Form Six leavers receive salaries of over 37 million shillings plus generous allowances, fringe benefits, and foreign trips, highlighting the stark disparity between frontline workers and political elites.

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

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

The workers warn that continued neglect could derail critical government programs such as the Parish Development Model, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, Youth Livelihood Programme, and Senior Citizens’ Grant, all of which rely on motivated local government staff.

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

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