Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister of Public Service, has on July 06 tabled government’s official position on the enhancement of pay for public officers and as well as the industrial action by Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) in which secondary school arts teachers and all primary school teachers are protesting salary disparities.
In his statement presented before the House presided over by Speaker Anita Annet Among, Minister Muruli Mukasa noted that government has since the 1990s undertaken a number of reforms aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness of public service and ultimately improved service delivery to the citizens of Uganda.
The minister went on to say that as part of the Public Service Reform programme, the Ministry of Public Service had embarked on salary reforms with the intention of improving the welfare of public officers.
“Indeed, there has been notable increase in the pay of public officers over the years. For instance, the salary of a Grade II teacher has over the years increased from Shs240,640 per month in FY 2009/10 to Shs568,166 per month in FY 2021/22,” added Muruli Mukasa.
He further argued that the industrial action by Unatu was in contravention of Section 7(2) and Section 8(3) of the Public Service Negotiating, Consultative and Disputes Settlement Machinery Act, 2008 which calls for a 90-day notice.
He added: “However, Government has taken serious consideration of the concerns raised by UNATU. The concerns have been discussed by the executive and Government is committed to implementing the approved pay plan, within the medium plan.”
Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa’s statement was tabled two days after Unatu suspended the arts teachers’ strike after meeting President Museveni, amidst rumors that the union leaders such as secretary general Filbert Baguma were bribed to end the industrial action even when the teachers got no salary increment. (Read Story Here).
MORE STORIES ON BAGUMA & OTHER UNATU BOSSES’ BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS
MORE STORIES ON UNATU ENDING STRIKE
Arts Teachers’ Strike Suspended after UNATU Meeting with Museveni
MORE STORIES ON OUR COVERAGE OF ARTS TEACHERS’ STRIKE & SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS
MORE ON SCIENCE TEACHERS’ SALARY INCREMENT
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).
 in which secondary school arts teachers and all primary school teachers are protesting salary disparities. ){kind=link}