By Andrew Irumba
Kampala: Government of Uganda has allocated 150 billion shillings for salary increment of primary school teachers and lecturers in public universities.
This was revealed by the Minister for Public Services Mululi Mukasa on Thursday August 1, 2019.
While addressing the press at the Ministry of Public Service, He told the press that these salary enhancements shall be effective effect in the second quarter of this financial year – More likely from October 2019.
The Minister said that Government has been able to identify additional 100.5 billion shillings which together with the 49.5 billion that had already been allocated to the Education sector totals to 150 billion for further salary enhancement in FY 2019/20.
‘The funds have been raised through cutting consumptive items in the budgets of other ministries, department, agencies and local governments for FY 2019/20. Such cuts have affected the following items among others inspection of service delivery, scholastic materials, maintenance of vehicles, staff training etc.” said Mr. Mukasa
Mukasa added that Of the 150 billion shillings, over 135bn was allocated for teachers in primary schools while public universities that were threatening to lay down their tools at the beginning of this forthcoming semester that commences in this month of August, were allocated only 15 billion.
“Public Universities and degree awarding institutions will be allocated 15 billion to address salary enhancement of both teaching and non-teaching staff” and the balance will go to public universities to increase salaries for lecturers and non-teaching staff.
Mululi further noted that his Ministry and Ministry of education and sports will work with institutions to ensure equitable allocation and distribution of 15 billion
However, public officers whose salary has already been enhanced above 35% will be stayed until the rest of the cadres that lag below 35% have been brought to that level.
In July 2019, Mukasa said they needed at least 450 billion shillings to enhance salaries for public servants however, as per reports, only 150 billion have been secured.
Mukasa’s call followed a may teacher’s strike over salary enhancements. The announcement was made on Sunday 19 May at the National Organisation of Trade Unions offices in Ntinda during a press conference.
The strike followed a 90-day ultimatum that was issued in February by Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) to government.
Filbert Bates Baguma, the UNATU general secretary said they are going to strike because government has failed to fulfil its promises made to teachers.
However days later, agreed to suspend the planned teachers strike for one term as government mobilizes funds for their salary enhancement.
UNATU had called for industrial action starting Monday May 27 so as to compel government to enhance teachers’ salaries to ensure that the least paid teacher earns a monthly wage of Shs900000.
