President Museveni pledges to enhance emoluments for LC leaders
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has pledged to increase facilitation funds for local leaders specifically LC1 and LC3 chairpersons and councilors to enhance their ability to monitor government programs effectively. This commitment came during a meeting with leaders from the Greater Mubende sub-region held at St. Gonzaga Mirembe Maria Primary School Grounds.
While addressing the local leaders, President Museveni acknowledged the underfunding of lower local chairpersons compared to their LC3 and LC5 counterparts. “I know lower local chairpersons have not been well facilitated like the LC3 and LC5 chairpersons and councilors,” he stated, responding to concerns raised about the lack of resources for grassroot leaders to effectively monitor government initiatives. Currently, LC1 and LC2 chairpersons receive only 300 Ugandan shillings per day, totaling approximately to shs120,000 annually and often face delays in payment.
During his address, President Museveni also warned against rising corruption among District Service Commission officials who are reportedly auctioning local government jobs. He emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy to corruption stating, “Being corrupt is not good. I used to see such corrupt people in previous regimes like those of Obote but in our NRM (National Resistance Movement), we don’t support corruption because this is what the government condemns.”
The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja echoed the President’s sentiments encouraging Greater Mubende leaders to continue sensitizing communities about NRM strategies. She also criticized opposition leaders for misleading voters humorously remarking that the Democratic Party is essentially under the NRM umbrella.
During his tour, President Museveni commissioned the Greater Mubende Zonal Industrial Hub and urged youth in the region to pursue hands-on courses such as carpentry welding and tailoring to improve their prospects. He also officially opened the Mubende Daily Market and several constructed roads in the area.
In a bid to empower local entrepreneurs, the President directed that Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO) funds should be disbursed through district structures to ensure that graduates from the industrial hub can easily access startup capital for their ventures.
