LOCAL NEWS
BUSHENYI DISTRICT| Bushenyi–Ishaka Municipality was brought to a standstill on Tuesday after civil servants staged a sit-down strike, protesting what they described as persistent interference and intimidation from local political leaders.
The industrial action, which began early in the morning, saw municipal offices remain closed, with essential public services such as documentation, licensing, and administrative support temporarily suspended. Residents who had turned up for services were left stranded as staff refused to carry out their duties.
According to several affected employees, the strike was sparked by growing frustration over what they termed as “unchecked intrusion” by politicians into the day-to-day operations of technical departments. Staff allege that some leaders have been issuing direct instructions, summoning officers without proper channels, and in some cases publicly reprimanding them-actions they say undermine professionalism and disrupt service delivery.
Speaking during the strike, the Municipality’s Human Resource Officer, Shallon Bakyirira, emphasized the need for clear institutional boundaries between elected leaders and technical staff. She noted that while political oversight is essential, it must be exercised within established administrative frameworks.
Bakyirira urged political leaders to respect formal communication structures and to channel any concerns or directives through the office of the Mayor, rather than engaging individual staff members directly. She warned that failure to adhere to proper procedures risks creating confusion, lowering staff morale, and ultimately affecting service delivery to the public.
“Our staff are committed to serving the people, but they must operate in an environment that respects professionalism, order, and the rule of law,” she said. “We are calling for mutual respect and adherence to the proper lines of authority.”
Efforts to resolve the standoff were underway by Tuesday afternoon, with reports indicating that local leaders and municipal administrators had initiated dialogue aimed at restoring normal operations. However, by press time, services remained largely disrupted.
The strike highlights ongoing tensions in several local governments across Uganda, where the roles of political leaders and technical officers have increasingly clashed, raising concerns about governance, accountability, and efficiency in public service delivery.