Uganda’s Local Government employees, represented by the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union (ULGWU), have formally petitioned Parliament over prolonged neglect, broken promises, and unfair treatment concerning 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 main grievance is salary inequality. Under the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the government pledged phased salary increases for all public servants. Yet, only select professionals—including scientists, doctors, engineers, judicial officers, and arts teachers—have benefited, earning between UGX 4 million and UGX 8 million monthly. Local government staff such as planners, auditors, finance officers, and community development officers continue to earn less than UGX 1 million. The union argues that this selective implementation is unfair, demoralizing, and violates workers’ rights.
The petition also criticizes the government for failing to implement the union check-off system, which allows automatic deduction and remittance of union subscription fees. Despite Ministry of Public Service directives, 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 are another major concern. Thousands of local government employees have remained in the same grade for over a decade, while politically connected individuals advance without merit. The union says this practice erodes morale, entrenches favoritism, and hampers public service efficiency.
Beyond pay, the petition highlights broader mismanagement and inequality. While local government staff earn modest wages, Members of Parliament—some with only A-Level qualifications—receive over UGX 37 million monthly, plus allowances, foreign trips, and other perks. Billions spent on programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Lubowa Specialized Hospital are viewed by workers as opportunities for mismanagement rather than genuine development.
ULGWU also disputes government claims of insufficient funds for salary enhancements, citing high-cost events like the recent NRM conference. The union questions why resources are available for political events but not for fairly compensating the frontline workers who sustain public services.
The union warns that unless these issues are addressed urgently, key initiatives—including the Parish Development Model, Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, Youth Livelihood Programme, and Senior Citizens’ Grant—risk failure, as these programs rely on motivated staff who currently feel neglected.
Workers are demanding the restoration of the union check-off system, salary increases for all local government staff in the 2025/2026 financial year, payment of arrears dating back to 2018 under the CBA, merit-based promotions, and legislation to reduce extreme wage disparities within the public service.
ULGWU stresses that staff are not seeking favors but fairness, recognition, and respect for their legal rights. By petitioning Parliament, Uganda’s local government employees are sending a clear message: those who keep public services running will no longer remain silent in the face of inequality.
