BIG STORY!! Uganda Local Government Workers Petition Parliament Over Pay Inequalities, Seek Direct Meeting With Museveni

Uganda’s Local Government workers, represented by the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union (ULGWU), have formally petitioned Parliament over long-standing neglect, broken promises, and unfair treatment regarding pay and working conditions. The petition, dated 25th August 2025 and addressed to Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, Speaker of Parliament, was presented by Workers’ MP Hon. Dr. Byakatonda Abdulhu (PhD). It was officially received and registered by the Office of the Clerk to Parliament on 28th August 2025 under Rule 58, with copies sent to the Deputy Speaker and Clerk for urgent attention.

The petition highlights persistent salary disparities. Under the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the government promised phased salary increases for all public servants. Yet, only certain professionals—including scientists, doctors, engineers, judicial officers, and arts teachers—have benefited, earning between UGX 4 million and UGX 8 million per month. Meanwhile, local government staff such as planners, auditors, finance officers, and community development officers continue to earn less than UGX 1 million. The union calls this selective implementation unfair and demoralizing, noting it violates workers’ rights and fosters resentment within public service.

Another key concern is the government’s failure to implement the union check-off system, which allows automatic deduction and remittance of union subscription fees. Despite directives from the Ministry of Public Service, many local governments have ignored this system, weakening the union’s financial independence, reducing bargaining power, and breaching both Uganda’s Constitution and international labor standards.

Stalled promotions also remain a pressing issue. Thousands of local government employees have remained in the same grade for over a decade, while politically connected individuals advance regardless of merit. The union says this practice lowers morale, entrenches favoritism, and undermines the efficiency of public service.

The petition further raises concerns over broader mismanagement and inequality. While local government staff earn modest wages, Members of Parliament—including some with only A-Level qualifications—receive over UGX 37 million monthly, along with allowances, foreign trips, and other perks. Billions spent on programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Lubowa Specialized Hospital are seen as opportunities for mismanagement rather than genuine development.

ULGWU disputes government claims of insufficient funds for salary enhancements, citing high-cost events like the recent NRM conference. The union questions why funds are available for political events but not to fairly compensate frontline staff who sustain public services.

The union warns that unless these concerns are addressed urgently, critical programs—including the Parish Development Model, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, Youth Livelihood Programme, and Senior Citizens’ Grant—risk failure, as they rely on motivated frontline staff who currently feel neglected.

In their petition, workers demand the restoration of the union check-off system, extension of salary enhancements to all local government staff in the 2025/2026 financial year, payment of arrears dating back to 2018 under the CBA, implementation of merit-based promotions, and legislation to reduce extreme wage disparities within public service.

ULGWU emphasizes that workers are not asking for favors, but for fairness, recognition, and respect for their legal rights. By submitting their grievances to Parliament, Uganda’s local government staff are sending a clear message: those who keep public services running will no longer remain silent amid inequality.