Kampala Seeks UGX 6 Billion to Boost Street Cleaners’ Pay by 67%
KAMPALA — January 21, 2026 — The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) is urgently seeking an additional UGX 6.018 billion from the national government to fund a significant wage increase for the city’s street cleaners, a move officials argue is critical for improving urban sanitation.
KCCA Executive Director Sharif Buzeki presented the formal request to Parliament’s Committee on Presidential Affairs on Tuesday, January 20, as part of the authority’s 2026/27 National Budget Framework Paper. The proposal aims to raise the daily wage for cleaners from UGX 6,000 to UGX 10,000 per day—a 67% increase.
Budget Increase Amidst Funding Gap
According to the submitted documents, KCCA’s overall budget is slated to rise from UGX 950 billion in the current 2025/26 financial year to UGX 1.1 trillion for the upcoming period. Within this larger budget, UGX 12.983 billion is specifically earmarked for street cleaners’ salaries.
However, Director Buzeki contended that this allocation is insufficient. He explained to the committee that the amount fails to cover two parallel needs: hiring additional personnel to service the expanding city and implementing a meaningful wage increase for the existing workforce. The identified shortfall of UGX 6.018 billion is required to bridge this gap.
Linking Pay to Performance and Sanitation
The push for higher wages is directly tied to the city’s ongoing struggle with waste management and public cleanliness. In his appeal, Buzeki emphasized that better remuneration is essential for boosting morale, attracting reliable workers, and ultimately achieving a higher standard of sanitation across Kampala’s streets and public spaces.
The cleaners, often employed through community-based groups and SACCOs, perform the essential but demanding task of sweeping streets, collecting litter, and maintaining drains. The authority believes that investing in their welfare is a direct investment in the city’s health and aesthetic appeal.
Next Steps in the Approval Process
The Parliamentary Committee on Presidential Affairs will now consider the request as part of its broader review of KCCA’s budget framework. The decision will hinge on balancing the authority’s operational needs with the national government’s fiscal priorities.
If approved, the wage increase would represent one of the most substantial pay rises for this sector in recent years, impacting thousands of workers who form the frontline of the city’s public health infrastructure. The outcome is awaited by both KCCA management and the cleaners’ associations as a key indicator of the city’s commitment to its workforce and urban environment.
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