The Minister for Local Government, Hon. Raphael Magyezi has said that beginning next financial year, Local government leaders will receive a 100 percent pay increment.
The Minister made the remarks while appearing before the Parliamentary Committee on Public Service and Local Government, chaired by Hon. Ojara Martin Mapenduzi, on 26 March 2024 which is currently reviewing the Ministry’s Policy statement for next financial year 2024/2025.
Magyezi highlighted the need to enhance the remuneration of local political leaders.
“This policy statement prioritizes many areas including the increment of political leaders’ remuneration. Considering the current living costs, it is prudent that they are enhanced,” he said, decrying the low pay for councillors saying that it does not sync with the current economic times.
According to the Minister, LC 11 chairpersons receive a monthly pay of Shs. 10000, LC III Shs 400000 while sub-county councillors receive Shs 35, 000.
Ben Kumumanya, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Local Government, said that they will present a Cabinet Paper that will validate a 100 percent increase for all the local political leaders since audits have established that there are gross variations in public servants’ pay.
The Ministry of Local Government has been allocated a budget estimate of Shs 202.15 billion in the upcoming financial year, which marks an increase of Shs 36.7 billion compared to the current allocation of Shs 166.8 billion. This significant increase reflects the government’s commitment to supporting local governance and ensuring effective service delivery at the grassroots level.