Finance Ministry Finally Releases Funds for KCCA Casual Laborers’ Salary Arrears

The Ministry of Finance has disbursed the necessary funds to settle salary arrears owed to casual laborers employed by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), as confirmed by the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties), Henry Musasizi.

Addressing concerns raised by the Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, during a plenary sitting chaired by Speaker Anita Among on Thursday, 28 March 2024, the Minister provided this assurance without disclosing specific figures.

Ssenyonyi voiced the issue in response to another protest by KCCA laborers regarding the non-payment of their dues, despite an earlier meeting between the Speaker and KCCA leadership in March, where immediate payments were agreed upon.

“In the meeting, KCCA leadership committed to clearing all arrears by 06 March 2024. Yet, these casual laborers protested again at the KCCA offices yesterday because today is 28 March and this money has not been disbursed,” said Ssenyonyi, urging the government to prioritize the payments and provide feedback to Parliament.

Expressing disappointment over the delayed payments, Speaker Among remarked, “The amount owed to these individuals is minimal. Yesterday, I held a meeting with the Minister for Finance and the PSST [Permanent Secretary/Secretary to the Treasury] who confirmed that the funds had been released.”

Speaker Among also rebuked security agencies for their harsh treatment of the protesting casual laborers. “Despite their demonstration being peaceful, they were subjected to tear gas and physical assault. I witnessed a disturbing image of someone being severely mistreated,” Among stated.

The Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Nobert Mao, attributed this to the absence of regulations for the Public Order Management Act, highlighting that such use of force is illegal.

“We are in the final stages of enacting these regulations to minimize discretion and ensure that the Police do not infringe upon constitutional rights,” Mao explained. “Currently, they rely on the primary Act and incorrectly believe they have the authority to grant or deny permission. In reality, they can only regulate.”

During the Tuesday, 05 March meeting between the Speaker and KCCA leaders, including Minister Minsa Kabanda, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, it was resolved that payments would be made to the sweepers’ SACCO by 06 March 2024.

The street sweepers, organized into SACCOs, have endured over four months without compensation.