Uganda’s Local Government workers, through their umbrella body, the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union (ULGWU), have formally petitioned Parliament over what they describe as years of neglect, unfulfilled commitments, and blatant discrimination in remuneration and working conditions. The petition, dated 25th August 2025 and addressed to the Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, Speaker of Parliament, was presented by Workers’ MP, Hon. Dr. Byakatonda Abdulhu (PhD). It was received and registered by the Office of the Clerk to Parliament on 28th August 2025 under Rule 58 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament. Copies were also forwarded to the Deputy Speaker and Clerk to Parliament for urgent attention.
At the heart of the grievance is the issue of salary disparities. The union recalls that under the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), government pledged phased salary enhancements for all public servants. However, to date, only select categories, notably scientists, doctors, engineers, judicial officers, and arts teachers, have benefited, with some earning between UGX 4 million and UGX 8 million monthly. In contrast, equally qualified local government professionals such as planners, auditors, finance officers, and community development officers continue to earn less than UGX 1 million. The union describes this disparity as unjust, divisive, and demoralizing, arguing that the selective approach to implementing the CBA has violated workers’ rights, undermined equity, and fueled resentment within the public service.
The petition also highlights the failure to implement the check-off system, which enables automatic deduction and remittance of union subscription fees. Despite directives from the Ministry of Public Service, many local governments have deliberately refused to comply. This failure has crippled the financial independence of the union, weakened workers’ collective bargaining power, and contravened both the Constitution of Uganda and international labor standards that guarantee freedom of association and collective bargaining.
Another major grievance is the issue of stalled promotions. Thousands of local government workers have remained in the same grade for more than a decade, with some retiring without ever being elevated, while politically connected individuals are promoted regardless of merit. According to the union, this trend has destroyed morale, entrenched favoritism, and undermined efficiency in service delivery.
The petition further links these injustices to a broader culture of mismanagement and inequality. While local government staff continue to earn meagre salaries, Members of Parliament, many of whom possess only A-Level qualifications, earn more than UGX 37 million per month in addition to allowances, foreign trips, and other benefits. At the same time, billions of shillings are wasted on projects such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and the controversial Lubowa Specialized Hospital, which the union argues have become conduits for corruption rather than instruments of development.
The ULGWU warns that unless government urgently addresses the plight of local government staff, flagship programs such as the Parish Development Model, the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship Programme, the Youth Livelihood Programme, and the Senior Citizens’ Grant risk failure. These programs depend heavily on the motivation and dedication of frontline local government staff, who currently feel neglected and demoralized.
In their petition, the workers demand the immediate restoration of the union check-off system across all local governments, extension of salary enhancements to cover all local government workers in the 2025/2026 financial year, payment of salary arrears dating back to 2018 under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, implementation of a transparent and merit-based promotion policy, and legislation to regulate and reduce extreme wage disparities within public service.
The petition emphasizes that local government workers are not asking for favors but for fairness, recognition, and respect for their rights under the law. By taking their grievances to the floor of Parliament, Uganda’s local government workers are making a powerful call for justice, inclusivity, and restoration of trust between government and its workforce. Whether Parliament and the Executive will act on these concerns remains to be seen, but the message is clear: the frontline staff who sustain service delivery in Uganda will no longer remain silent in the face of inequality.
