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Gulu district speaker blasts huge Salaries for MPs while local leaders starve

9 July 2026, 1:04 pm

Hon Okello Kenneth Doggy the Gulu district speaker talking to the press in his office Wednesday 8 July 2026.

By Emmanuel Mwaka

The Gulu District Speaker, Kenneth Okello Doggy, has expressed deep dissatisfaction with the stark disparity in remuneration and welfare between Members of Parliament (MPs) and local government officials, describing the widening wage gap as “alarmingly dangerous.”

Speaking with intense frustration from his office on Wednesday 8 July 2026, Hon. Okello drew comparisons between the luxurious facilitation given to legislators in Kampala and the meager crumbs allocated to leaders on the ground who directly manage the community.

Hon Okello Kenneth Doggy speaking on the renumeration disparity.

Doggy highlighted transport allocations as a clear example of the severe inequality embedded in the system. While Members of Parliament receive a staggering 315 million Uganda Shillings (UGX) each as a personal transport allowance money used to buy a vehicle that remains their personal property while District Chairpersons and Mayors are assigned government-owned vehicles that stay within state custody, leaving them with limited personal mobility despite their massive administrative jurisdictions.

Hon Okello Kennth Doggy on the transport facilitation to MPS and local government leaders.

He rejected the current entitlement mentality, reminding leaders that “nobody is born in that office” and that public service belongs to everyone. He urged the government to reform the payment structure so that local councilors are paid directly from the Consolidated Fund, just like MPs.

Echoing his sentiments, Hon. Lakwonyero Denis Ocen, the male Councilor V representing Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Gulu District, also expressed disappointment with the high level of vulnerability local government leaders face while national-level politicians enrich themselves.

Hon. Lakwonyero Denis Ocen the PWDs male representative Gulu district on disparity.
Hon Lakwonyero Denis Ocen the PWDs councilor male representative Gulu district talking to our reporter on 8 july 2026.

Responding to the concerns raised, the Aswa County Member of Parliament, Hon. Okello Patrick Ongutiwho also doubles as the Shadow Minister for Local Government noted that there may be no immediate changes to the status quo because the issue stems directly from the budget planning processes. However, he promised that they would attempt to push the government, especially in the current financial year, to reallocate funds from other votes to supplement the remuneration of local government leaders.

Hon Okello Patrick Onguti Mp Aswa county on the Budget allocation.
Hon Okello Patrick Onguti the MP Aswa county speaking during a thanksgiving event in Gulu District after Victory in April 2026.