Government urged to increase allowances for local leaders

Ntungamo District Woman MP Beatrice Rwakimari, who acknowledged that local leaders are paid peanuts and promised to take the matter to Parliament. COURTESY/FILE PHOTO

Mr Jackson Rubagyera, the chairperson of Ihunga Sub-county in Ntungamo District, has urged government to consider increasing emoluments and allowances of councillors, sub-county and village chairpersons for effective service delivery.

Mr Rubagyere suggested that sub-county councillors should take home at least Shs150,000 from the current Shs24,000 per sitting, village chairpersons from Shs10,000 to Shs50,000 and sub-county chairpersons from Shs378,000 to Shs500,000 per month.

He expressed concern that leaders have failed to execute their obligations perfectly due to meagre emoluments and allowances, which he said should be reised to suit the current economic situation.
“You are saying some leaders are corrupt but it is because they are receiving peanuts in allowances,” Mr Rubagyera said.
He was speaking during the swearing-in of village and parish chairpersons at the sub-county headquarters on Saturday.
In attendance was District Woman MP Beatrice Rwakimari, who acknowledged that local leaders are paid peanuts and promised to take the matter to Parliament.

Ms Rwakimari noted that village and parish chairpersons are the foundation of democratic governance and that government relies on local council leaders in implementing its programmes.

She asked the leaders to work diligently and serve all people regardless of their political and religious affiliations. All 45 villages and three parish chairpersons were given new stamps and books for record keeping.