Local Government Workers across Uganda, through their union, the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union (ULGWU), have petitioned Parliament over what they describe as years of neglect, broken promises, and unfair treatment. The petition, presented by Workers’ Member of Parliament Hon. Dr. Byakatonda Abdulhu, outlines how government has failed to honor its own agreements, leaving thousands of workers underpaid, unrecognized, and demoralized.
Central to the petition is the problem of salary disparities. In the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement, government pledged phased salary enhancements for all categories of public servants. Yet, only a select few, such as scientists, doctors, and engineers, benefitted from significant increases, now earning between four and eight million shillings. Meanwhile, equally qualified local government workers—including planners, finance officers, auditors, and community development officers—remain stuck at less than one million shillings. Workers argue that this selective treatment has bred discrimination, polarization, and frustration across the civil service.
The petition also highlights the painful issue of delayed promotions. Many local government employees have remained in the same grade for over a decade, some retiring without ever experiencing career progression. This stagnation has crushed morale and left many dedicated officers feeling abandoned. To make matters worse, cases of favoritism have emerged, with relatives of politicians being promoted and deployed at district headquarters even when they lack competence, while more deserving officers are ignored. According to the petitioners, this practice not only undermines merit but also damages the credibility of service delivery.
In addition, the workers accuse government of frustrating their union by failing to implement the check-off system, which allows for automatic deduction and remittance of union dues. Despite clear instructions from the Ministry of Public Service, many local governments have refused to comply, weakening the union financially and crippling its ability to defend the rights of its members. This failure, they argue, violates constitutional rights to association and collective bargaining, as well as international labour obligations.
The petition warns that continued neglect of these grievances threatens the delivery of vital government programs such as the Parish Development Model, the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and the Senior Citizens’ Grant. Local government workers are the frontline implementers of these initiatives, yet their morale is at its lowest point due to unfair treatment.
The workers are therefore appealing to Parliament to intervene decisively. They want the immediate restoration of the check-off system, the inclusion of all local government staff in salary enhancements for the 2025/2026 financial year, and payment of arrears dating back to 2018. They also demand a clear policy to resolve the problem of stagnation in promotions, as well as legislation to reduce extreme pay gaps between the highest and lowest-paid public servants. Above all, they are asking Parliament to revive the Collective Bargaining Agreement of 2018 and ensure that government honors its commitments to all public servants fairly.
In their closing words, the petitioners emphasize that they are not seeking favors but fairness. They argue that those who dedicate their lives to serving the public deserve equal recognition, dignity, and career growth. By petitioning Parliament, Uganda’s local government workers are making a strong appeal for justice, inclusivity, and the restoration of trust between government and its frontline staff.
