By Moses Andama
www.knewslink.com
In Masindi—
Minister of Local Government, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, has called for increased salaries for local government leaders, saying low pay is contributing to corruption in local governments.
Barugahara made the remarks on Tuesday, October, 6th during the official launch of the national induction of local government councils at Country Inn Hotel in Masindi District.
The induction is intended to equip local government leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their duties effectively and avoid mistakes in their day-to-day activities.
Barugahara said the salaries of some local government political leaders are disproportionately low compared to those of the technical officials they supervise.
He cited LC5 chairpersons, who he said earns less than Shs1.5 million per month, yet they are expected to oversee the activities of district technical teams, attend burials and other community functions, and perform oversight duties across the district.
“An LC5 chairman earns less than Shs1.5 million, while the Chief Administrative Officer he supervises earns about Shs12 million. Yet the chairman attends burials across the district and performs oversight functions as the political head of the local government,” Barugahara said.
He said the government is currently undertaking budget consultations for the 2027/28 financial year and that he has already raised the issue with the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.
Barugahara said the proposal is intended to increase the remuneration of local government leaders and councilors from LC1 to LC5, arguing that better remuneration could help reduce corruption.
“We are now in the budget consultation process for the 2027/28 financial year, and I have already presented this matter to the Ministry of Finance. We want to ensure that the issue of increasing the salaries and allowances of leaders and councillors from LC1 to LC5 is addressed. This will help to deter corruption,” he said.
He also urged local government leaders to remain honest and put the interests of the communities they serve above their personal interests.
“I appeal to all leaders to be honest in society. As you serve, you should work in the interest of the community and not for your personal interests,” Barugahara said.
He further called on leaders to uphold morality, politeness and humility while executing their responsibilities.
“Everyone should exercise morality, politeness and, above all, humility in whatever position they are serving,” he said.
Barugahara said the government has allocated Shs12 million for the national induction exercise, which is being implemented through the Office of the Commissioner for Local Government and will be conducted across districts in the country.
Speaking during the same induction, Masindi District LC5 Chairman Patrick Wobusobozi said the programme would help political leaders understand their roles and work more effectively with technical staff.
He said the training would also help reduce what he described as “political pollution” within local governments by promoting cooperation between political and technical leaders.