Lamwo district councillors are increasingly raising alarm over unpaid allowances exceeding shs 40 million, accumulated from four council sittings conducted during the 2024/2025 financial year.
The mounting arrears have sparked frustration among leaders, with many warning that the situation is undermining their ability to effectively represent constituents and perform their duties.
The issue was formally presented during a recent district council session by Padibe town council councillor, Otema Wilfred. In his submission, Otema demanded a clear explanation from the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Chuna Moses Kapolon, regarding the continued delay in settling the payments.
He stressed that the matter had persisted for months without a definitive resolution, leaving councillors financially strained.
According to Otema, both plenary and committee sittings held since the last financial year remain unpaid. This, he noted, has forced many councillors to dig into their personal resources to facilitate council work, including transport, communication, and community consultations.
Each councillor is entitled to shs 300,000 per sitting, and with approximately 33 councillors in the district excluding the district executive, speaker, and deputy speaker, the unpaid allowances have steadily accumulated to significant levels.
“This is not just about money; it is about the dignity and ability of councillors to effectively represent their people,” Otema emphasised during the heated discussion. He warned that failure to address the issue could demoralize leaders and weaken grassroots governance.
Supporting his concerns, Aciro Milly Grace, the female councillor representing persons with disabilities, expressed deep frustration over the delayed payments.
She highlighted that the situation has disproportionately affected councillors from vulnerable groups, many of whom rely heavily on the allowances to support their work in the community.
Aciro noted that without facilitation, it becomes difficult to reach out to constituents, especially in remote areas.
“This delay is not fair, particularly to those of us who depend on these allowances to carry out our responsibilities. We need urgent intervention,” she urged.
The speaker of the district council, James Ochola, who is mandated to oversee councillors’ welfare, acknowledged the seriousness of the issue. He reassured members that the leadership is actively engaging relevant offices to find a solution.
Ochola stressed that maintaining the morale of councillors is critical for effective council operations and service delivery.
“We understand the concerns of the members, and this matter is being handled with the urgency it deserves. Councillors must be supported to do their work efficiently,” he said.
District hairperson Oyet Sisto Ocen also weighed in on the matter, appealing to councillors for patience while reaffirming the district’s commitment to settling the outstanding arrears.
He attributed the delays to broader financial challenges affecting local governments, including limited locally generated revenue and competing budget priorities.
Ocen explained that like many other districts, Lamwo is grappling with financial constraints that have made it difficult to meet all obligations on time. However, he assured the council that efforts are underway to mobilise resources and address the issue.
Responding to the concerns, CAO Chuna Moses Kapolon provided further insight into the financial predicament facing the district.
He revealed that Lamwo had already exceeded the statutory limit of 20 percent of locally generated revenue that is allocated for councillors’ allowances. This legal cap, he noted, has significantly restricted the district’s ability to make additional payments.
“We have spent beyond the required threshold using locally raised revenue to facilitate councillors. At the moment, the district is exploring alternative options, including the possible sale of some assets, to raise funds and clear the outstanding allowances,” Kapolon explained.
His remarks, however, raised further concerns among councillors about the sustainability of such measures and the long-term financial health of the district.
Some members questioned whether selling assets would provide a lasting solution or merely a temporary fix to recurring financial challenges.
The unfolding situation in Lamwo highlights the growing financial pressures facing local governments across the country. With limited revenue sources and increasing operational demands, many districts are struggling to meet their financial obligations, including payments to elected leaders.
Observers warn that if not addressed, such challenges could have far-reaching implications on service delivery at the grassroots level.
Councillors play a crucial role in representing community interests, overseeing development programs, and ensuring accountability. When they are not adequately facilitated, their effectiveness is inevitably compromised.
As Lamwo district leadership works to find a solution, the issue of unpaid allowances serves as a stark reminder of the need for stronger financial planning, increased local revenue generation, and sustainable funding mechanisms for local governments.
For now, councillors continue to wait, hopeful that their concerns will be addressed before the situation further escalates.
