The Ministry of Local Government has put to rest growing uncertainty over the payment of Local Council (LC) leaders following the recent change in leadership across Uganda, ruling that outgoing officials will receive salaries and allowances for May while newly elected leaders will begin earning in June.
The directive was issued by Permanent Secretary Ben Kumumanya in a letter dated May 29, 2026, after several local governments sought guidance on how to manage payroll obligations during the transition period. The communication was addressed to the Ministry of Public Service to ensure uniform implementation nationwide.
According to the ministry, most newly elected LC leaders were sworn into office during the second half of May, with many taking office from May 18 onwards. Since the outgoing leaders had already served for the greater part of the month, they remain entitled to the full salary and allowances for May.
Kumumanya explained that the arrangement follows an established government practice applied whenever elected officials assume office in the middle of a salary cycle. Consequently, newly elected leaders will only be added to the payroll beginning with the June payment schedule.
The salary dispute had triggered confusion in a number of districts and lower local governments, where some incoming leaders believed their swearing-in before the end of May qualified them for payment during the same month.
At the same time, outgoing officials argued that they had continued carrying out their duties for most of May and should therefore receive compensation for the period they remained in office. The disagreement created administrative headaches for accounting officers responsible for processing payments.
Officials in local governments have welcomed the ministry’s clarification, saying it eliminates uncertainty that had threatened to slow down handover processes and fuel tensions between outgoing and incoming leaders. The guidance is expected to streamline payroll management and ensure accountability during the transition.
The decision affects thousands of elected leaders serving at village, parish, sub-county, municipal and district levels across the country. While former office holders are guaranteed payment for their final month in office, newly elected leaders must wait until the June payroll cycle to receive their first salaries and allowances.
