The government has officially settled the debate over Local Council (LC) leaders’ salaries following the recent transition of leadership, confirming that officials who completed their terms will receive payments for May, while newly elected leaders will start earning from June.The clarification was issued by the Ministry of Local Government through Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya in a communication dated May 29, 2026.
The guidance was sent to the Ministry of Public Service after concerns emerged from various local governments regarding how salaries should be handled during the handover period.According to the ministry, most newly elected LC leaders were sworn into office from May 18 onwards, meaning outgoing officials had already served for the majority of the month. As a result, the May salary and related allowances will remain payable to the former office bearers.Kumumanya emphasized that newly elected leaders will officially enter the government payroll beginning in June, maintaining a long-standing administrative practice used during leadership transitions within public service structures.
The salary question had sparked disagreements in several districts, municipalities and lower local governments, with some incoming leaders arguing that their assumption of office before the end of May entitled them to a share of that month’s earnings.On the other hand, outgoing leaders insisted they had fulfilled their responsibilities throughout most of May and therefore deserved full compensation for the period they remained in office. The differing interpretations created confusion for accounting officers tasked with processing payrolls.Local government administrators have welcomed the ministry’s intervention, noting that the guidance removes uncertainty that had threatened to delay handovers and disrupt routine administrative operations.
Officials say the directive now provides a clear framework for implementing payments during the transition.The decision will affect thousands of elected leaders across Uganda’s local government system, from village councils to district administrations. While outgoing leaders are assured of their final May earnings, newly sworn-in officials will have to wait until the June payroll cycle to receive their first salaries and allowances.
