Government has announced plans to inject Shs200 million into Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (Saccos) for Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) casual workers in a move aimed at improving their welfare and standard of living.
The pledge was made by Moses Byaruhanga, a senior presidential adviser, during the Weyonje Sanitation Challenge 2025 held at Kitante Primary School. The event brought together casual workers from the five city divisions of Nakawa, Kampala Central, Kawempe, Makindye and Lubaga.
Byaruhanga told Bbeg Media that government had taken note of complaints from casual workers over low wages and poor working conditions, saying plans were underway to address the concerns.
“I have taken note of your concerns regarding low wages, therefore we are going to increase your wages in order to empower you, as we have done to banana sellers and small restaurant operators who were given Shs 900 million,” he said.
He further revealed that the Katale loan for vendors operating in city markets will be launched on December 27 this year, describing it as part of broader efforts to support informal sector workers.
Byaruhanga, who is also a key National Resistance Movement mobiliser, urged KCCA casual workers to support President Museveni and other NRM flag bearers in the 2026 general elections, arguing that the president remained committed to addressing their challenges.
He asked the workers to mobilise additional voters for the ruling party and told opposition groups to back off, insisting that Museveni “is here to stay”.
KCCA executive director Sharifa Buzeki commended all five city divisions for participating in the sanitation challenge, which focused on desilting toilets and sewage drainage channels, improving sanitation at workplaces, and strengthening garbage and waste management in the city.
Buzeki expressed concern about the limited number of casual workers and pledged to increase their numbers to enhance service delivery. She also committed to increasing the budget for protective gear to improve safety at work.
The minister for Kampala, Minsa Kabanda and Mariam Namayanja, the senior presidential secretary, praised KCCA for improving cleanliness and safety in the city through the Weyonje sanitation initiative.
They pledged continued government support for the project and urged casual workers to support President Museveni and NRM candidates, saying the ruling party still had much to offer Ugandans through improved healthcare, education, roads, clean water, a conducive business environment and youth empowerment.
At the event, Kawempe emerged the overall winner of the Weyonje Sanitation Challenge, receiving Shs5 million. Lubaga came first runner-up and took Shs4 million, while Kampala Central finished second runner-up with Shs3 million.
Nakawa was third runner-up and received Shs2 million, while Makindye placed fourth runner-up and was awarded Shs1 million. Additional awards were given in categories including solid waste management, sanitation, community activation teams and best solid waste truck driver.
The government’s pledge comes at a time when many KCCA casual workers earn as little as Shs6,000 a day, a wage workers say is too low to meet basic needs such as food, transport and rent.
