ULGWU Sets New Five-Year Agenda, Pledges to Fight for Workers’ Rights and Better Pay

ULGWU Sets New Five-Year Agenda, Pledges to Fight for Workers’ Rights and Better Pay

The Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union (ULGWU) has elected new leaders to steer the union for the next five years, with salary enhancement, workers’ welfare, accountability and protection of jobs among its key priorities for the 2026–2030 period.

The new leadership was elected during the union’s Quinquennial Delegates Conference held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Teachers House Conference Hall on Bombo Road in Kampala.

The conference, held every five years as required for registered labour unions, brought together delegates to review the union’s performance and consider its annual reports, financial reports and budget for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Gidudu Emmanuel Amiiri from Mbale City was elected Chairperson, while Asaba Gerald of Kyenjojo District Local Government became Vice Chairperson. Hassan Mudiba Lwabayyi was elected General Secretary, with Mukani Miria taking the position of Treasurer.

Namugaya Ruth was elected Chairperson of Women, while Wambuzi Julius became Chairperson of Young Workers. Other committee members include Nnsubi Richard, Wangolo Francis and Wikula Winfred.

The conference also elected staff representatives Waiswa Arafat and Mukoda Angella, regional representatives Nagawa Josephine and Mwenyi Noah, and Sarah Besigye Were to the Board of Trustees.

A major resolution of the conference was the continued engagement with government over salary enhancement for local government workers whose salary scales have not yet been improved.

ULGWU noted that salary enhancement has already benefited workers in higher salary scales, including U1, which covers Permanent Secretaries, U1E for Commissioners, U1 for Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Chief Administrative Officers, and U2 for workers at principal level.

The union said it will now advocate for workers from U3 downwards, including Senior Senior Assistant Secretaries, Senior Community Development Officers and Senior Accountants at U3, graduate-entry workers at U4, Parish Chiefs at U5, and other employees in the lower salary scales, including U6, U7 and U8.

The union said its advocacy efforts have contributed to improvements in the remuneration of workers in the higher salary scales and pledged to continue pushing for similar enhancements for lower-paid local government employees.

“We now plead and advocate for U3 downwards to the last cadres,” the union said, while appreciating the Minister of Public Service, Permanent Secretaries in the public service and local government authorities for their support.

ULGWU also expressed appreciation to the Government and the President, whom the union described as the “Fountain of Honour,” for accepting salary enhancement proposals, while calling for further improvements covering all local government workers.

The union further appealed for local government workers to be considered for exemption from Pay As You Earn (PAYE), arguing that employees already meet numerous indirect taxes through their daily expenditures.

Beyond remuneration, delegates resolved to strengthen the union’s fight against corruption within local government and work with government and other stakeholders to promote accountability, respect, good governance and improved service delivery.

Delegates also approved a five-year strategic plan covering 2026–2030. The plan focuses on organising and growing membership, promoting decent work, advancing gender equity, strengthening workers’ platforms and protecting workers’ rights and welfare.

The union identified political interference, inadequate funding, leadership disputes, casualisation and outsourcing of services among the challenges facing local government workers.

ULGWU also raised concern over digitalisation, particularly the possibility of new technologies causing job displacement without proper consultation with workers and their representatives. Climate-related shocks that disrupt public services and employment were also identified as emerging challenges.

The election was presided over by Apollo Onzoma, Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Productivity and Industrial Relations, who represented the Registrar of Labour Unions, Alex Asiimwe, on behalf of government.

Following their election, the new leaders pledged to work together to strengthen ULGWU, protect workers’ rights and welfare and engage government constructively on issues affecting local government employees.

The outgoing leadership congratulated the newly elected team and wished them success as they begin their five-year mandate.

ULGWU operates under the motto: “Power belongs to the Workers, the struggle continues.”