The Ministry of Gender has requested Shs12.24 billion to cover the salaries of 17 gazetted traditional and cultural leaders, ensuring each leader earns a monthly salary of Shs60 million. This comes after concerns that the current allocation of Shs1.02 billion in the upcoming 2025/26 budget would drastically reduce their monthly earnings to Shs5 million, a figure far below their current remuneration.
Agnes Kunihira, Workers MP, presented the ministry’s case to the Budget Committee while discussing the 2025/26 Budget Framework Paper for the Ministry of Gender. Kunihira emphasized the importance of maintaining the current salary structure, warning that any reduction could strain relationships between the government and cultural institutions. Members of Parliament echoed her concerns, arguing that a salary cut could provoke dissatisfaction among the leaders and their respective kingdoms.
This development follows Parliament’s approval in April 2024 of Shs31.33 billion for the payment of Shs60 million monthly salaries to the 17 traditional leaders. Additionally, Shs17.2 billion was allocated for constructing palaces for the Iteso, Tieng Adhola, Buruli, and Rwenzururu kingdoms, in line with a Presidential directive.
The Ministry of Gender argues that maintaining the current salaries is critical to upholding the dignity and support of traditional institutions, which play a significant role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering community development.
Earlier this year, the cultural leaders under the Traditional Leaders Forum asked the government to fulfill its promises. “The government promised us Shs60 million per month for the kingdom and Shs15 million for personal assistants for kings,” said Kwar Adhola, the Tororo cultural leader.
