President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s Cabinet will convene at State House Entebbe today, May 23, to discuss how much money scientists, science teachers and health workers will be earning every month starting July 2022.
Unions of scientists, including science teachers, allied health professionals and nurses, have either threatened or gone on strike over rumored plans to leave them behind as government plans to increase their counterparts’ salaries.
For example, science teachers, under their umbrella body, the Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union (UPSTU), were on strike for 10 days, starting May 09, the beginning of second term, to May 19.
By the time the science teachers called off their strike, it was not clear to UPSTU by how much their salaries would be enhanced. In the first week of the strike, ICT and National Guidance Minister Dr Chris Baryomunsi told science teachers that cabinet passed a resolution that each graduate teacher should see their salary revised from Shs1.1m to Shs4m per month, and that of a diploma holder from Shs796,000 to Shs3m.
It also emerged that government would require Shs735bn to increase salaries of all scientists, including science teachers. But only about Shs400bn had been set aside by the time the strike started.
Last week, Parliament passed a Shs48.1tn budget. The estimates in the 2022-23 included Shs495bn to enhance salaries of all scientists, including science teachers and health workers, according to Henry Musasizi, the Minister of State for Finance (General Duties).
It has now emerged that a cabinet meeting will on Monday, May 23, discuss how to divide the Shs495bn among thousands of government employees categorized as scientists.
While they were included on the list of scientists, science teachers left last week’s meetings with education and public service officials not sure of how much they will be earning starting July 2022 when the new financial year begins.
But that question could be answered today after the cabinet meeting. UPSTU leaders expect to receive official communication from the line ministries. In case they are dissatisfied with the package that cabinet will decide on, the science teachers are expected to resume their strike mid-June 2022.
Meanwhile, there have been reports of some headteachers ‘firing‘ science teachers who went on strike, with UPSTU leader calling of Education Minister Ms Janet Museveni to intervene and save their colleagues’ jobs. (Read Story Here).
MORE ON SCIENCE TEACHERS STRIKE
SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS: Science Teachers End Strike With NO DEAL But a Letter & Promises
MORE ON SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS
In order to improve service delivery and end the challenge of strikes over low pay, President Museveni’s government has proposed huge salary increments for teachers, doctors and other employees starting July 2022. (Read Story Here)
The proposed increments have left many people wondering if government will really fulfill this pledge and increase salaries by very high amounts.
For example, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has argued that the promise of salary increment is just ‘another lie.’ (Read Story Here).
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija recently said the money for increasing teachers’, doctors’ and other civil servants’ salaries was available. (Read Story Here).
In August 2021, cabinet approved salary increment for teachers, doctors and other health workers. (Read Story Here).
See the salary structure that had been proposed for the current financial year here.
UPDATED LIST: See Salary Structure for All Government Workers
Meanwhile, an NRM MP has angered teachers after telling them they are too poor to go on strike. (Read Story Here).
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