Village Local Council I (LC1) chairpersons in Mpigi District have appealed to the government to replace their monthly allowance with a proper salary, arguing that better pay is the only sustainable way to reduce corruption and curb land grabbing.
The chairpersons say their remuneration should be comparable to that of Members of Parliament, citing the critical role they play in resolving community disputes, authenticating land transactions and handling land-related conflicts at the grassroots.
Land disputes remain one of Uganda's most persistent challenges, particularly in Buganda, where they account for a significant proportion of police reports, court cases and media coverage. Despite numerous government interventions, cases of land grabbing and ownership disputes continue to rise.
Questions have also been raised about how fraudsters manage to occupy or sell land in communities where LC1 chairpersons are expected to know residents, verify land ownership and authenticate land transactions.
Although the government has introduced several measures to address land conflicts, including compensation and land titling programmes, critics argue that some of these initiatives have inadvertently created opportunities for fraudsters to exploit landowners and defraud the government.
Under Uganda's land transaction procedures, agreements involving land, bibanja and plots must be authenticated by the area LC1 chairperson through an official signature and stamp.
To establish whether village chairpersons play a role in fraudulent land transactions, Nile Post visited Buwama and Kayabwe sub-counties in Mpigi District, where several LC1 leaders insisted they are not responsible for the growing number of land disputes.
Charles Damulira, the LC1 chairperson of Wasozi Village, admitted that the lack of a meaningful salary leaves some leaders vulnerable to corruption.
"The government gave us official stamps but never gave us salaries. It is like giving a soldier a gun without food or pay. Eventually, some people will use that stamp to survive," Damulira said.
He revealed that he was once offered Shs30 million and promised a title for 20 acres of land if he agreed to stamp documents presented by individuals claiming ownership of disputed land.
"They came in expensive vehicles claiming they had won a court case and wanted me to sign and stamp documents confirming I knew them. When I refused, they first offered Shs20 million, then increased it to Shs30 million and even promised me a land title. I thought about the Shs10,000 monthly allowance I receive, but I also thought about my community and refused the deal," he said.
Johnbosco Muliika, the LC1 chairperson of Buyaaya Village in Mbizinya, said village leaders shoulder enormous responsibilities despite receiving almost no financial support.
"An MP earns a good salary, yet Parliament can function even when they are absent. But a village cannot operate for even three days without its LC1 chairperson. We visit the sick, respond to deaths, settle family disputes and handle land conflicts at all hours, yet we have no salary," Muliika said.
He argued that wealthy land grabbers often target financially struggling LC1 chairpersons with large cash offers to validate fraudulent land documents.
"When someone earning only Shs10,000 a month is offered Shs10 million just to stamp a document, many will be tempted. The problem is not only the individual; it is also the government's failure to pay village leaders properly," he added.
The chairpersons warned that creating more agencies and launching additional operations to fight land grabbing will have little impact if LC1 leaders continue working without adequate remuneration.
They are now appealing to the government to introduce a monthly salary of at least Shs1 million, arguing that it would reduce the temptation to facilitate fraudulent land transactions.
"If I earn a decent salary, anyone who comes with money asking me to misuse my stamp will find me financially secure, and I will simply refuse," the chairpersons said.
Their appeal comes as preparations for the upcoming LC1 elections gather pace, with polling expected on July 28, subject to the Electoral Commission's timetable.
