Deputy speakers want salary
Jul 21, 2009
District deputy speakers have demanded a monthly salary. The deputy speakers said it is unfair for them to continue depending on allowances, while the speakers receive “hefty†salaries.
By Frank Mugabi
District deputy speakers have demanded a monthly salary. The deputy speakers said it is unfair for them to continue depending on allowances, while the speakers receive “hefty†salaries.
According to the current public service ratings, speakers are paid a monthly salary of sh700,000, on top of their allowances.
Their deputies, however, are paid allowances only because they are considered part-time employees. At the northern regional meeting in Nebbi town recently, the deputy speakers said the law should be amended to categorise them as full-time workers.
“Constitutionally, we are recognised as speakers. We are, therefore, entitled to all the monetary benefits speakers receive as stipulated in the the Local Government’s Act,†they said.
They called on Parliament to expedite the amendment before approving the 2009/2010 budget.
The deputy speakers also said Parliament was capable of working within the given time to address the matter. They decided to meet President Yoweri Museveni over the matter and warned that they would frustrate the approval of the district budgets if their concerns were not met.
The deputies also demanded more involvement in the implementation of development programmes, especially the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund and the Peace Recovery and Development Programme.
The regional association chairperson, Fabiano Obinyo, said their role had not been clearly stipulated, yet they presided over the meetings where the programme was discussed and passed.
He also called on the Uganda Local Government Association secretariat to collaborate with regional associations other than looking at them as threats.
Obinyo said they had been receiving a “cold†response from the local government association, whenever they contacted them on various isues.
District deputy speakers have demanded a monthly salary. The deputy speakers said it is unfair for them to continue depending on allowances, while the speakers receive “hefty†salaries.
According to the current public service ratings, speakers are paid a monthly salary of sh700,000, on top of their allowances.
Their deputies, however, are paid allowances only because they are considered part-time employees. At the northern regional meeting in Nebbi town recently, the deputy speakers said the law should be amended to categorise them as full-time workers.
“Constitutionally, we are recognised as speakers. We are, therefore, entitled to all the monetary benefits speakers receive as stipulated in the the Local Government’s Act,†they said.
They called on Parliament to expedite the amendment before approving the 2009/2010 budget.
The deputy speakers also said Parliament was capable of working within the given time to address the matter. They decided to meet President Yoweri Museveni over the matter and warned that they would frustrate the approval of the district budgets if their concerns were not met.
The deputies also demanded more involvement in the implementation of development programmes, especially the Northern Uganda Social Action Fund and the Peace Recovery and Development Programme.
The regional association chairperson, Fabiano Obinyo, said their role had not been clearly stipulated, yet they presided over the meetings where the programme was discussed and passed.
He also called on the Uganda Local Government Association secretariat to collaborate with regional associations other than looking at them as threats.
Obinyo said they had been receiving a “cold†response from the local government association, whenever they contacted them on various isues.