Under the new plan, RDC salaries are expected to be raised from about shs2.2m to shs9m, deputies would move from roughly shs1.2m to shs5m.

In the three to four months since Balaam Barugahara was appointed by President Yoweri Museveni Kaguta as Minister of Local Government, many government officials, including commissioners, have been arrested on allegations of misusing government funds.

This includes several RDCs, deputies, and assistants who have been accused of corruption, instead of helping to monitor and report on government programs.

During Minister Balaam’s countrywide tours, some RDCs have been accused of being too corrupt. For instance, Bududa RDC Namara Juliet Solome was arrested on allegations that she admitted to taking money from people in exchange for promised jobs.

The Minister condemned these acts, saying it is not right for the representative of the President at the district level to behave in such a bad manner. He encouraged the people to report any corrupt government officials to the State House Anti-Corruption Unit for further management.

Another RDC, George Owany of Bukwo district, was arrested on August 16, 2026, during the anti-corruption inspection tour.

He was arrested on allegations of conspiring with SACCO leaders to solicit over shs1 million from each of the 109 SACCOs in the district, totaling shs109 million, alongside accusations regarding unverified government projects and monitoring, especially on issues of shadow works.

Namisindwa district RDC Elaijjah Madoi was also ordered arrested by Minister Balaam, who directed him to step aside from office to allow for investigation to take place. This followed a number of allegations raised by the people against him.

Similar complaints have been raised against the RDCs for Butaleja and Bundibugyo districts, among others, where people are complaining that they are too corrupt in the positions of trust given to them.

Recently, Lira RDC Lillian Eyal was also arrested over similar allegations by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit (SH-ACU), in collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies, related to the misuse of Parish Development Model (PDM) funds.

Her arrest follows complaints raised by over 50 members of the Tetyang PDM SACCO during a baraza held by officials from the Ministry of Economic Monitoring in Lira City.

The beneficiaries alleged that they were forced to use part of their PDM funds to purchase agricultural inputs, including seedlings, fertilisers, and sprayers, which they had not requested or needed.

According to the complaints, the beneficiaries were invited to a PDM launch presided over by the Assistant RDC, Okello Richard, and the District PDM Focal Person, Okello Michael. A company dealing in agricultural inputs was also present at the launch.

The beneficiaries further alleged that their mobile phones were confiscated by the SACCO Secretary, Moro Dickens, and their shs1 million PDM funds were withdrawn.

Between shs400,000 and shs840,000 was reportedly deducted from each beneficiary to pay for the agricultural inputs, with the remaining balance given to them in cash.

Also read: From arresting Lira RDC Eyal to ex-Oyam PDM SACCO leaders, Museveni’s aides aren’t joking

After the election for Local Council One Chairpersons, the Minister for the Presidency, Milly Babalanda, also withdrew the Jinja RDC Ahmed Kateregga and his deputy Hassan Kasbante over the death of two people during the Local Council One Chairperson polls in the district

She said the killings happened under their leadership as security heads. They were, however, reinstated to office after some weeks.

On Monday, September 29, 2026, the Office of the President announced that there will be changes among RDCs, RCCs, deputies, and assistants across the country, with some officials expected to leave their current stations.

The changes will also target commissioners whose performance has fallen below the expected standards, according to the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President, Hajji Yunus Kakande.

Also read: Ex-presidency minister Mbayo, summoned for causing financial loss

He indicated that the reshuffle will also provide an opportunity to replace commissioners whose performance has not met expectations.

“We shall leave other options for non-performing RDCs, RCCs, deputies, and assistants,” he said.

Kakande was responding to a request from the RDC of Rakai district, Sarah Kiyomba, to be transferred on the grounds that some of the politicians in the district are hostile to her.

“Therefore, I request to be transferred to another district,” she said.

Two months ago, the Presidential Affairs Committee backed a proposal that would have dramatically increased the earnings of RDCs and related officials.

Under the new plan, RDC salaries are expected to be raised from about shs2.2m to shs9m, deputies would move from roughly shs1.2m to shs5m, while assistants would see their salaries increase from about shs800k to approximately shs2.6m.

If this proposal goes into effect, it means that some RDCs, deputies, and assistants who are going to be dropped may miss this huge pay rise!