By Munkomboozi Naboth
Isingiro District Councilors have resolved to increase their emoluments and allowances under the District Chairperson. The councillors want the sitting allowances increased from Shs190,000 to Shs400,000.
During the council meeting held on Wednesday, Vincent Kafero Depaul, the district councillor representing Rugaaga Sub County, moved a motion to have the emoluments increased and was seconded by Robert Ankunda, the workers’ representative.
Kafero says that they spend huge amounts on transport to travel to the district headquarters for meetings and monitoring of government projects in their respective areas.
Robert Ankunda, the workers’ representative, said that the allowances they earn in the current economy are little to sustain a councilor, thus demanding an increase.
Mayleen Nimusiima, the District Speaker, asked the council to first benchmark from the neighbouring districts before approving the motion, which the councillors objected to.
Julius Tibijuka, the Kabuyanda Sub County District Councilor, opposed the demand to increase their emoluments.
According to the Local Government Act, a local government council can’t spend more than 20% of its total local revenue from the previous financial year on the salaries and allowances of the chairperson and councilors.
Isingiro district committed to collecting Shs1.9, down from the Shs1.7 billion collected in the last financial year.
Alice Rusherure, the Isingiro District Chief Administrative Officer, told the council that the district collects SHs1.7 billion from both the Town Councils and Sub Counties but later transfers it back to the District.
She said that of the Shs368 million, the council gets Shs73 million, which is inadequate.
Alone Turahi, Isingiro LCV Chairperson, said that the council resolved to write to the minister of local government seeking authority to spend over 20 percent of the local revenue to facilitate the council’s operations.
The 2021 Auditor General’s report queried the CAO for spending more than 20 percent of the total local revenue on allowances of the Chairperson and emoluments in the last financial year.
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