CAOs ”CRY FOUL OVER LITTLE COIN SALARY’’ FROM GOVERNMENT

CAO CRY OVER FOUL LITTLE COIN SALARY’’ FROM GOVERNMENT
By Simon Eyagu in Soroti City
The Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) in Teso and Karamoja regions have asked the Government for salary increment and cars saying this would enable them to perform their duties well.
The CAOs through their Chairperson Luke Lokuda, the Soroti District CAO on Thursday showed their disappointment as to why the Permanent Secretaries are paid bigger salaries yet for them they still receive ‘coin’ when they are doing a lot of work.
“Previously we were supposed to be paid salary which is at the level of the PS, but now we are still being paid below sh3m, yet PS is being paid sh15m! We may not want the same amount like that of PS but it should be something nearer to it,” said Lokuda.
He said that there is a need to review their salaries in order to have them improve on the service delivery. Lokuda said sometimes their work is affected because they are forced to borrow cars from other departments that they supervise like the production department.
Lokuda was giving his remarks during the Ministry of Local Government official distribution of stamps for the offices of village or cell and Parish or Ward Chairpersons in Teso and Karamoja regions at Mayors Gardens in Soroti City on 4.3.2021.
The official stamps supplied by Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC).
The CAO Nabilatuk District Alfred Malinga said they need God’s intervention because even the Agricultural Officers who join service later than them are able to drive posh cars.
Resident City Commissioner Robert Adiama asked the Government to consider increasing the salaries of the CAOs so that they cannot be attempted to dip hands into government monies under their supervision.
“I think the CAOs have a reason for consideration because they always supervise bigger government projects that require millions of shillings,” says Mr Adiama. Adiama also cautioned the LCs against making government stamps as that of home properties that can be used by every member of the family.
The Ministry procured Government of Uganda Official Stamps across the Country. This is in a bid to improve security, curb impersonation, and reduce fraudulent transactions that may be orchestrated by wrong elements who may parade themselves as office bearers for those positions.
The stamps were officially handed over to the respective Accounting officers for onward distribution to the relevant office bearers.
Ms Stella Aguti, the Principal Research Officer at the Ministry of Local Government was among those officials from the ministry who foresaw the exercise.
Also present are the RDCs or Resident City Clerk, LC5 Chairpersons, City Mayor, District or City Education Officers, the District or City Production Coordinators, and the District or City Health Officers, among others.
In Teso the benefiting districts include; Kumi, Soroti, Amuria, Kaberamaido, Katakwi, Bukedea, Serere, Ngora, Kalaki, and Kapelebiong and while in Karamoja are Abim, Moroto, Kotido, Kaabong, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Napak, Nabilatuk and Karenga.
Accounting officers were also tasked to ensure that the number of stamps received correspond with the relevant units in their districts or cities and report any deviations with all the relevant details.
The local council I and IIs form an integral part of government structures for delivery of services to the local communities as they assist in executing the responsibilities among others; maintain law order and security by liaising with the Uganda police, vet and recommend persons in the area who should be recruited into the UPDF, UPF, the Uganda Prison Services and Local Defence Units.
And to vet and recommend persons in the area to be registered as Citizens and while in the acquisition of a Uganda passport or any other travel and identification documents, receive and resolve or disputes from the people in the area while operating as local council courts.
Others are to initiate, encourage, support and participate in self-help projects, mobilize people, material, and technical assistance in relation to self-help projects, serve as communication channel between government, the district and higher local council and the people in the area, monitor the administration in the area and report to the higher district councils, monitor projects and other activities undertaken by the government, local and NGO in the area and carry out other functions which may be imposed by law.
The stamps are expected to be handed over to the Senior Assistant Secretaries in charge of the Sub Counties for further action.
According to the Minister of State for Local Government Ms Jeniffer Namuyangu all office bearers must only use the stamps for official government business.
Paul Omer, the Caretaker Soroti City commended the government for the continued support to the local councils something he says has helped improve in service delivery in those respective are.