Apac speaker calls for higher pay for local leaders

14 September 2026, 9:02 pm

By Dickens Aruca

LIRA CITY–The Apac District Council Speaker, Oscar Ogwang, has renewed calls for the government to increase the salaries of local government political leaders, arguing that better remuneration could strengthen accountability and help curb corruption.

Ogwang made the call during a two-day Local Government Budget Consultative Workshop for the Financial Year 2027/2028, which started on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Margarita Palace Hotel in Lira City and is scheduled to conclude on Tuesday, September 15.

During a question-and-answer session, Ogwang raised concern over what he described as inadequate remuneration for local government political leaders.

Under the current government salary structure, district chairpersons receive a gross monthly salary of about 2.38 million shillings, while district speakers receive 724,000 shillings and district and city councillors receive 250,000 shillings per month, subject to applicable arrangements.

Ogwang argued that the current pay does not adequately reflect the responsibilities and demands placed on political leaders at the local government level.

He said inadequate remuneration could undermine the morale of political leaders and make efforts to promote accountability and combat corruption more difficult.

Ogwang therefore appealed to the government to prioritize salary enhancement for local government political leaders, saying improved remuneration would motivate them to effectively oversee service delivery and promote good governance.

The call comes as local governments across the country prepare their budget priorities for the 2027/2028 financial year, with leaders expected to advocate for improved funding and better working conditions to enhance service delivery and accountability.