government 8 May 2026 The Observer (Uganda)
RDC Salaries Set for Major Boost: Museveni Backs Shs 9m Monthly Pay
Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) and their deputies may soon see a substantial increase in their monthly salaries, with proposals aiming to raise them to Shs 9 million and Shs 5 million respectively. This move, supported by President Museveni, aims to address stagnant pay and disparities within local government administration. Source: https://observer.ug/news/museveni-offers-to-increase-rdc-salaries-to-shs-9m-month
President Yoweri Museveni is reportedly backing a significant salary increment for Resident District Commissioners (RDCs), their deputies, and assistant RDCs. The proposal, championed by Alex Byarugaba, chairperson of Parliament’s Presidential Affairs Committee, seeks to more than quadruple RDC salaries from Shs 2.29 million to Shs 9 million per month.
Deputy RDCs could see their pay jump from Shs 1.28 million to Shs 5 million, while assistant RDCs might receive an increase from Shs 877,216 to Shs 2.695 million monthly. This proposed enhancement would require an additional Shs 29.079 billion annually for the Office of the President.
Byarugaba highlighted that RDC salaries have remained unchanged for nearly two decades, significantly impacted by inflation and the rising cost of living. The committee also pointed out that RDCs currently earn less than some technical officers they oversee, such as Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), whose salaries have been revised.
These proposed increases are part of a broader government initiative to review and enhance public sector salaries. The government has already committed Shs 500 billion to a phased salary enhancement for arts and humanities teachers, with a 25% annual increment over four years. Additionally, plans are underway to boost salaries for other technical officers and political leaders across local government levels.
Under the proposed structure, primary school education assistants would earn Shs 700,000, up from Shs 449,000. Headteachers and deputy headteachers would also see significant increases. In secondary schools, arts-qualified headteachers could earn Shs 3.5 million, with considerable hikes also proposed for deputy headteachers and arts teachers.
Parliament is expected to deliberate on these salary adjustment proposals as part of the upcoming national budget process. This initiative aims to address pay disparities and improve the remuneration of public servants across various cadres.
Source: The Observer (Uganda)