Rukungiri Councilors Protest Over Unpaid Allowances

By Barham Akatukunda June 11, 2024 886 Views

Summary:

The councilors, who earn 106,000 shillings per sitting, are demanding allowances for the entire 2023/2024 financial year.

RUKUNGIRI: Councilors in Rukungiri District have protested and threatened to shun council meetings over the failure to pay their allowances.

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The councilors, who earn 106,000 shillings per sitting, are demanding allowances for the entire 2023/2024 financial year.

The councilors who include Albert Mugisha Gwamugata (Buyanja sub-county), David Kwebangyira (Kebisoni Town Council and District Chief Whip), Benon Kyarisima (Buhunga sub-county), Kenyangi Agnes (representing people with disabilities), Nahurira Winfred (Kebisoni sub-county and Town Council), Tumuranye Alex, Jovia Milly Mbabazi, Annah Barekye (Eastern and Southern Division), and Kabyamagwakyi Benison (Ruhinda sub-county) argue that the district’s failure to pay their allowances has negatively affected their cost of living.

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The councilors state that some of them travel long distances from remote villages to attend council sessions, and the district does not even provide lunch, unlike other districts in Uganda. They questioned why other districts manage to pay their councilors while Rukungiri does not.

Kyarisima, a long-time finance committee member, says that it is unprecedented for the district to reach June without paying local councils, from LC II to district councilors.

CUE IN COUNCILORS…….ON ALLOWANCES…….RR//

The District Speaker, James Tubyamubona, confirmed that the councilors have not received their allowances.

CUE IN TURYAMUBONA…..ON ALLOWANCES…..RR//

However, the District Chief Administrative Officer, Hajji Masokoyi Swalihk Wasswa, said that the issue does not affect Rukungiri District only but other districts in the country as well. He refuted claims that the district does not provide food, stating that refreshments and cakes are provided, and urged councilors to pass a resolution to include lunch in the budget.