Local Council leaders petition Kampala minister over  pay

KAMPALA - Local Council(LC) leaders from Kampala district have petitioned the Minister for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and Metropolitan affairs, Beti Kamya over remuneration.

About 200 LC I and II, who served Kamya with their petition argued that they carry out activities like monitoring the delivery of services, assist in the maintenance of law and order, and mobilize electorates to participate in government programmes.

They also claim that they assist the city and divisions to register and mobilise residents to pay revenue, protect the environment, popularise government programmes and administering the LC court, among others.

The LCs who were led by their Chairperson who is also the LC Chairman for Nakasero parish, they told Kamya that given the kind of responsibility they are faced with facilitation challenges.

"The fulfillment of these functions come with an administrative cost like stationery, hiring offices, communication, and transport, refreshment in meetings and hiring of tents and chairs among others," their petition reads in parts.

Some of the Local Council Chairpersons at the meeting

 
Ramagana who read out the petition on their behalf said without any facilitation, the LCs are tempted to initiate certain charges and fees to meet the administrative costs, hence promoting corruption.

He added these situations are demotivating the LC leaders, their functionality and their tendency.

They said, "In the KCCA Act, 2010 wards, councilors and village councils are part of KCCA and must, therefore, be facilitated by KCCA."

Ramagana noted that section 5 subsection 4 states that any enactment that applies to a district shall apply to the authority.

The LCs proposed a 10% to 25% remittance as provided for under the Local Government Act, and a monthly or quarterly flat rate figure to cater for mobilisation and monitoring activities to LCII and LCI committees.

Parliament recently recommended payment of a monthly fee of sh10,000 to LC I and LC II chairpersons. However, since the coming into force of KCCA Act, the officials have not received this honorarium.