Gen Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni, the Commander-in-Chief of Uganda’s armed forces, has given assurances that government is committed to enhancing salaries of all UPDF officers and that nobody will stop the proposed increments.
President Museveni made the assurances during a recent pass-out ceremony for UPDF soldiers at the Armoured warfare Training School in Karama, Mubende District. According to Col PJ Kajoba, the Commandant of the Armoured warfare Training School – Karama, 101 soldiers had successfully completed their Armour Platoon Commanders Course while 456 officers had completed the Armour Crew Course.
Museveni told the graduands to avoid drinking and umalaya. “You are doing well, you are young people and you should avoid vices like alcohol in order to be successful and serve UPDF to full potential,” said the CiC, adding that he was certain that “We are getting a culture of a real revolutionized army.”
The president also assured the leadership of the school that government would tarmac the main road around and within the training base. This after Deputy Chief of Defence Forces Lt Gen Peter Elwelu, who was representing the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Gen Wilson Mbasu Mbadi, requested Museveni to keep offering support for the projects aimed at renovating and improving roads around the training base.
Museveni also used the event to confirm that the salaries of top ranking UPDF officers would be increased this year. The president made it clear that the salaries of soldiers at the ranks of major up to general had not previously been considered when enhancements were made about four years ago.
As has become official policy on salary increment now, the head of state and government also told low cadres of the UPDF that enhancement of pay would depend on the availability of funds and the growth of the Ugandan economy as the country reels from the devastating impact of the Covid19 pandemic.
“Initially, we planned to have a [solider at the rank of] private earn the same as a Grade Three Primary School teacher. At the time, the ones from the rank of a major upwards were not touched,” said Museveni. “Now we have increased from Major to General. As the economy improves, we shall keep on moving until we handle all.”
Last week, reports that the salaries of UPDF generals would be increased. While these remained rumors for days, the UPDF later confirmed and revealed the rate by which the salaries of soldiers from the rank of major to general would be increased. (Read Story Here).
READ MORE STORIES FROM OUR EXTENSIVE COVERAGE OF SALARY INCREMENT AND STRIKES OVER PAY ENHANCEMENT BELOW:
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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