Uganda’s local government workers have given the government a September 30 deadline to address their long-standing demand for salary enhancement, warning that they will lay down their tools starting October 1, 2025, if their demands are not met.
In a letter dated September 17, 2025, addressed to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union (ULGWU) General Secretary Hassan Lwabayi Mudiba said all avenues of dialogue with the government had been exhausted.
The union accused the government of creating salary disparities through selective increments, which they say have polarized the civil service and demoralized many employees.
The petition comes at a time when primary school arts teachers are already on strike, pressing for their own salary increase, disrupting learning in several districts across the country.
ULGWU noted that despite several petitions and engagements with the Ministry of Public Service, the Prime Minister, and the Speaker of Parliament, no concrete action has been taken.
The union has appealed to Cabinet and Parliament to use their budgetary powers to address the grievances of local government workers, noting that they are at the frontline of implementing the ruling government’s manifesto.
The letter was copied to several ministers, including Local Government, Public Service, Labour, Gender, and Social Development, as well as Finance, Planning, and Economic Development.
