(Kampala) – Uganda’s Ministry of Public Service has released the updated salary structure for local government leaders for the financial year 2024/2025, maintaining the previous year’s levels without increases.
Local government leaders in Uganda wear many hats — from making policies that affect the entire district to keeping the peace among sometimes stubborn constituents. However, it seems their financial rewards for wearing those hats remain as fixed as the weather in dry season.
Here’s a look at the monthly and annual salaries for different political leaders in Uganda:
| Designation | Monthly Salary (UGX) | Annual Salary (UGX) |
|---|---|---|
| District Chairperson/City Mayor | 2,380,000 | 28,560,000 |
| District Vice Chairperson/Deputy City Mayor | 1,190,000 | 14,280,000 |
| District Speaker/City Speaker | 1,190,000 | 14,280,000 |
| Member District Executive | 724,000 | 8,688,000 |
| Committee/City Executive | 620,000 | 7,440,000 |
| Sub-County/Town Council Chairperson | 412,000 | 4,944,000 |
| Municipal Mayor/City Division Mayor | 1,190,000 | 14,280,000 |
| Municipal Deputy Mayor/City Division Deputy Mayor | 620,000 | 7,440,000 |
| Municipal Division Chairperson | 412,000 | 4,944,000 |
According to this structure, the highest monthly salary remains with the District Chairpersons and City Mayors at UGX 2,380,000, followed by positions like District and City Speakers and Vice Chairpersons at UGX 1,190,000 monthly. This consistency across two fiscal years reflects stable remuneration within local leadership roles.
The Ministry’s report also highlights salaries for Sub-County and Town Council Chairpersons, set at UGX 412,000 per month, which totals to UGX 4,944,000 annually.
For the district chairpersons and city mayors, one might argue that UGX 2.38 million per month is no small change. But as one Ugandan proverb says, “If you dance with a pig, you can’t complain about the mud.” In other words, these leaders signed up knowing full well the nature of the financial mud they’d be stuck in. Yet, while that might have been manageable a few years back, today, even a boda-boda ride to the district headquarters might take a serious bite out of that unchanged salary.
The Ministry of Public Service might argue that these leaders earn enough to meet basic needs, but that claim likely raises a few eyebrows. Consider the local councillors, for instance, who pull in UGX 412,000 per month. For context, a quick visit to any bustling Ugandan market can reveal just how quickly that amount might be gobbled up by essential items, leaving one to wonder if it’s really enough to get by.
