The government plans to pay a hardship allowance to civil servants working in remote areas, but MPs say the proposed list of beneficiary districts leaves out many hard-to-reach communities.
The Finance Minister, Henry Musasizi, told Parliament on Tuesday that the allowance would help public servants in remote areas carry out their duties.
He said civil servants at district headquarters and in cities would not qualify.
“Payment of hardship allowances excludes civil servants working at district headquarters, in cities and town councils of the designated local governments,” Musasizi said.
He named Adjumani, Bundibugyo, Bukwo, Buvuma (Malongo), Kanungu, Kisoro, Lamwo, Namayingo and Ntoroko among the main beneficiaries. The Koome Islands, the Kalangala Islands and the Sigulu Islands, listed under Bugiri district, were also named.
Musasizi said the power to add more local governments to the list lies with the Ministry of Public Service.
Many MPs said their areas had been left out, even though they are hard to reach.
Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South MP (FDC), regretted that teachers and nurses transferred to such areas had never received a hardship allowance.
Patrick Okello Onguti, the Aswa County MP (DP), asked the minister to amend his report to include more places.
Solomon Silwany, the Bukooli County MP, challenged the data Musasizi presented. He said the Sigulu Islands were no longer part of Bugiri district.
Alfred Edakasi, the Kaberamaido County MP (NRM), asked why the report ignored the Kaberamaido peninsulas, where children travel to school by boat. He demanded an updated list of beneficiaries.
Annet Katusiime, the Bushenyi Woman MP, welcomed the proposal. She asked the finance ministry to include Ruhumuro sub-county.
Amelia Kyambadde, the Mawokota North MP, asked for the Buyiira Islands in Mpigi district to be included.
Bruce Balaba, the Rubanda West MP, accused the government of using misleading data. He asked why it had chosen to define hard-to-reach areas by district instead of by village and community, and described the approach as lazy.
Jolly Susan Abeja, the Otuke Woman MP (NRM), said only two sub-counties in her district had been considered, and that they had never received the money.
She urged the government to treat all areas fairly, likening it to a Muslim man who provides equally for all his wives.
Lydia Wanyoto, the state minister for Public Service, promised to review the matter and produce an updated list.
