Councillors in Masaka District and Masaka City have asked the government to increase their salaries, saying their current earnings are inadequate compared to their responsibilities, while delayed payments further undermine their ability to serve their communities effectively.
The councillors also expressed concern over what they described as excessive tax deductions from their salaries, claiming that deductions leave them with little money to meet personal needs and fulfil their official duties.
They made the appeal at the conclusion of a training programme organised to equip councillors with skills to improve their performance and strengthen service delivery in their respective communities.
Councillors from Masaka District raised the concerns at Kyanamukaaka Sub-county headquarters, where they said they play a critical role in monitoring government programmes and ensuring public services reach the intended beneficiaries.
They argued that although they are expected to monitor government projects, follow up on service delivery and report challenges affecting their communities, their remuneration does not reflect the workload.
“The Shs 17,000 they give us for transport every month is not enough. Sometimes, you spend Shs 30,000 travelling from where you live to attend council meetings. Remember, we also have to monitor government programmes, but that transport is not considered,” the councillors said.
They warned that inadequate facilitation could undermine efforts to fight corruption, arguing that local leaders need sufficient resources to monitor public programmes and hold implementers accountable.
The councillors urged the government to consider increasing their salaries, as well as those of other lower-level public servants, if they are expected to perform their duties effectively.
They also criticised Members of Parliament, accusing some of prioritising personal interests over challenges affecting local communities.
According to the councillors, some MPs rely heavily on reports from local leaders to understand conditions in their constituencies, yet the councillors themselves lack the financial resources needed to monitor government projects effectively.
The leaders further complained that their already low salaries are subject to substantial deductions and that payments are sometimes delayed.
“We are wondering why they deduct 50 per cent of our money when we are not even earning a salary worth Shs 1 million. We only receive Shs 700,000 as a monthly salary, and after the deductions, we end up with Shs 170,000,” the councillors said.
The figures cited by the councillors appear inconsistent: a 50 per cent deduction from Shs 700,000 would leave Shs 350,000. The actual deduction rate and take-home amount therefore require clarification.
The councillors also expressed concern over the slow implementation of government programmes in their areas, claiming that some planned activities had yet to begin despite reports that funds intended to support service delivery had been released.
They said efforts to obtain information or access the resources required to implement activities had often proved unsuccessful.
Kyanamukaaka Town Council Mayor Hajjati Zaina Nakidde said local leaders face additional challenges because of the limited revenue collected by their respective authorities.
Nakidde explained that locally collected revenue was insufficient to meet growing service delivery demands, leaving local governments struggling to finance activities within their jurisdictions.
She attributed some of the financial difficulties affecting communities in the area to restrictions on fishing activities, saying the measures had affected revenue collection because many residents depend on fishing for their livelihoods.
The mayor called on the government to address the challenges facing local leaders and provide adequate support to enable them to serve their communities effectively.
At the close of the training programme, Oscar Mutebi, identified as an assistant to former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, urged town clerks to ensure councillors are paid promptly after fulfilling their responsibilities.
Mutebi acknowledged the concerns raised by the councillors and said efforts would be made to address their demand for increased remuneration.
He encouraged the leaders to remain patient as the relevant authorities work towards finding solutions to their concerns.
Mutebi also cautioned councillors against allowing political differences to interfere with their responsibilities, urging them to work together to promote development in their respective communities.
He said cooperation among local leaders was essential to improving service delivery and ensuring government programmes benefit their intended recipients.
Officials from the Ministry of Local Government, including Tadeo Muhindo and Ruth Jayo, who participated in the training, also urged councillors and other local leaders to avoid conflicts and blame games.
They encouraged the leaders to cooperate, maintain discipline and focus on their responsibilities to improve public service delivery in Masaka District and Masaka City.
The training brought together councillors and other local government leaders to strengthen their understanding of their responsibilities and improve their ability to serve their communities.
However, the councillors maintained that improved skills alone would not be enough without adequate remuneration, timely salary payments and sufficient resources to monitor government programmes and address challenges affecting service delivery.