Govt spends sh35b on 90 double-cabin pickup trucks for district, city leaders

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The Government has procured new Toyota double-cabin pickup trucks for all district chairpersons, city mayors and municipal mayors. The move, according to the Government is expected to strengthen their mobility and ease service delivery.

The first batch of 90 vehicles is expected in the country by the end of September 2025, while the final consignment will arrive in November. The shillings 35.2 billion procurement was funded under the supplementary budget passed by Parliament in April this year.

Local government minister Raphael Magyezi told Parliament on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, that transport facilitation is critical for top local government leaders to effectively execute their leadership responsibilities.

He explained that under Schedule 3 of the Local Government Act, transport provision for district chairpersons, city and municipal mayors is mandatory, although for Speakers, the benefit is monetised.

Minister’s response to petition

The statement was delivered in response to a petition by the Uganda Local Governments Association (ULGA) and the Urban Authorities Association of Uganda (UAAU), presented to Speaker Anita Among on April 24, 2025.

The petition highlighted ten challenges affecting service delivery in local governments. On September 3, the Speaker referred the matter to the local government minister for urgent handling and reporting back to the House.

Key issues raised and government response

Induction of local leaders

Magyezi said induction of councillors is essential to build confidence and strengthen their leadership capacity. However, due to budget constraints, the ministry could not conduct induction exercises this term. Some development partners and local governments supported limited training, but a full programme is planned for FY2026/27, at a cost of shillings 30 billion.

Salaries of local government political leaders

The minister acknowledged that local government leaders are poorly paid but commended them for their patience and service. He revealed that President Museveni has directed salary enhancements starting FY2026/27. A Cabinet paper on the matter is due next week.

Staff recruitment

Staffing levels in local governments have improved from 52% in 2019 to about 70% today, but many key posts remain vacant. The ministry is working with Public Service and Finance to increase the wage bill and fast-track recruitments through the Public Service Commission.

Road equipment for cities and municipalities

While all districts received road equipment under the DUCAR program, some machinery is in poor condition and 13 districts have incomplete units. Government will procure full sets for all cities and critical equipment for municipalities in FY2026/27.

Road fund for town councils and sub-counties

Magyezi noted that lower local governments lack resources for road maintenance. He said Finance and Works ministries have now committed to provide road maintenance funds to Town Councils and Sub-counties in the next budget.

Physical planning grant

With Uganda’s urbanisation rate estimated at 5.3% annually, physical planning is urgent. In the past two years, the Government provided only shillings two billion, covering 40 urban councils. President Museveni has directed substantial increases: Two billion per city, 300 million per municipal council, and 50 million per town council.

Centralisation of local government revenue

The ministry supports Parliament’s resolution to allow local governments retain their local revenue, while ensuring accountability. Magyezi clarified that provisions in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) on central government revenue do not apply to local governments.

LCI and II elections

The term of administrative units has been extended due to lack of funds for elections. Government has harmonized LC I and II elections with the general elections in 2026, and the cost will be included in the Electoral Commission budget.

Subvention to local government associations

Government has been providing 300 million annually to ULGA and UAAU, and plans to double this to 600 million  next year. The minister also urged associations to mobilise members to pay subscriptions for sustainability.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among welcomed the minister’s response but cautioned that challenges in local governments should not be sugar-coated.

“The existence of various programs does not mean all problems are solved,” she said.

Magyezi reassured local leaders that President Museveni, who is patron of ULGA, will meet district chairpersons and mayors soon to discuss service delivery challenges. He emphasized that despite difficulties, annual assessments show steady improvements in local government performance, supported by programs such as UPE, USMID, PDM, Emyooga, and SAGE.