Kabale Local Council Leaders Demand Wage Increase

KABALE – Local Council Chairpersons (LC1) and Councilors (LC3) in Kabale Municipality are urging the government to raise their wages to support the implementation of government programs in the area.

Mwesigye Naris, the Chairperson of LC1 Chairpersons in the Southern Division, voiced their concerns, emphasizing that as the government launches poverty reduction initiatives, it should also address their needs by increasing their salaries. Currently, they receive a meager monthly wage of 10,000 Ugandan Shillings, which is insufficient to meet their basic requirements.

Mwesigye expressed his disappointment that President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni refers to them as vice while their earnings remain minimal, and they are ineligible for salary loans, unlike other civil servants. He also pointed out that LC1 leaders have been excluded from the Parish Development Model (PDM) despite their challenging circumstances.

Akatukunda Suzan, a representative of Karubanda ward in the Southern Division of Kabale Municipality, called on the government to include councilors in the PDM.

She stressed the need for a dedicated savings and credit cooperative society (SACCO) for councilors to supplement their incomes, as they currently receive only an annual allowance of 300,000 Ugandan Shillings.Akatukunda lamented that despite their honorable titles, they serve wealthier constituents, making their situation challenging.

The LC3 Chairperson for the Southern Division, Mackline Batware also appealed to the government to recognize LC1 and other councilor leaders as beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model, citing their low earnings compared to other civil servants.

CUE IN BATWARE…ON LC’s…..RR//

Kabale Municipality Mayor, Emmanuel Sentaro Byamugisha addressed a gathering that included both Central and Southern Division members.

He highlighted the dire financial situation faced by councilors, who receive less than 50,000 Ugandan Shillings every three months in allowances paid only after council meetings.

He urged the Resident District Commissioner to advocate for the inclusion of councilors in government poverty alleviation programs.

CUE IN……MWESIGYE AND AKATUKUNDA….RR//

However, Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Godfrey Nyakahuma, reiterated the government’s stance that no civil servant or government petitioner would benefit from the Parish Development Model.

He emphasized that the program is intended for those living below the poverty line, which is defined as 39% poverty in the region.

However, he acknowledged that families with civil worker heads who faced difficulties due to their responsibilities could be considered based on their representations to parish SACCO committees.

CUE IN RDC…..ON LC’s….RR//