WE HAVE THE MONEY: Finance Ministry Confirms Salary Increment for All Scientists

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) has confirmed that it has secured funds to increase salaries for all scientists in the next financial year which begins in July 2022. 

Several groups of scientists, including science teachers, nurses, midwives and allied health professionals, have either threatened to go on strike or indeed declared industrial action, over salary increment.

While science teachers suspended their strike last week, nurses and midwives have begun their today. These want their salaries enhanced to a level where a graduate nurse or midwife earns Shs4.8m monthly.

The nurses and midwives declared their strike even when government had assured them that all scientists would have their salaries enhanced starting July 2022.

Now, Ramathan Ggoobi, the Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary and Secretary to the Treasury (PSST) , has confirmed that the FY2022-23 national budget estimates were repurposed to secure money to increase all scientists’ salaries.

On May 25, PSST Ggoobi told UBC Behind the Headlines that Shs495bn had been secured for salary enhancement of scientists, including science teachers. But scientists are still asking questions on what the rate of salary enhancement would be.

Ggoobi’s revelation is almost similar to what Public Service Ministry Permanent Secretary Catherine Bitarakwate Musiingwire gave weeks ago. But it seems science teachers and other scientists have been added to the list. PS Bitarakwate said all health workers — including morgue attendants — would have their salaries increased starting July 2022. (Read Story Here).

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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