By Spy Uganda
It’s understandable for some Agencies who have been fighting Government’s decision to merge Agencies back to their mother ministries.
For instance, the Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA) recently came into the spotlight with revelations about its juicy salary structure, highlighting ‘pregnant’ earnings across various roles. With 287 employees on its payroll, NDA’s annual wage bill surpasses Shs 22.8 billion, drawing attention to disparities within Uganda’s public sector, where even junior roles at the NDA out-earn H.E Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Ssabalwanyi! The President takes home sh3.6m per month, a salary which has not been reviewed since 1998. In fact, such ‘kawukumi’ reveals why Museveni is fighting tooth and nail to merge most of these agencies wasting taxpayers’ money.
Salary Breakdown Across NDA Departments
At the top of the NDA’s wage scale is the Secretary to the Authority, who earns a monthly salary of Shs 32.5 million, totalling Shs 390 million annually. Within the same office, the Public Relations Manager takes home Shs 10.9 million monthly, while administrative roles like Executive Administrative Assistant receive Shs 3.9 million per month.
Comparing Role-Specific Salaries
The NDA has a wide range of salary allocations across its directorates. For instance:
1. In Legal Services, the Head of Legal earns Shs 17.6 million monthly, while Legal Officers receive Shs 5.9 million.
2. Within Laboratory Services, the Director earns over Shs 22 million monthly, and each Laboratory Assistant earns around Shs 2.4 million.
3. Product Safety and Inspectorate Services are among other departments with high salaries, with positions such as Director of Product Safety and Inspectorate Services earning Shs 22 million per month. Regulatory and Quality Control Officers also receive substantial salaries compared to similar roles in other sectors.
Notably, NDA drivers, each earn Shs 2.98 million monthly. This unbelievable wage comparison underscores questions about salary scales across public institutions.
Insights from Corporate Services and Human Resources Departments
The Directorate of Corporate Services also features high-paying roles, such as the Head of ICT earning Shs 16.9 million monthly and finance heads receiving over Shs 17 million. In Human Resources and Administration, the Head of HR earns Shs 17.6 million monthly, and administrative roles such as Office Assistants receive Shs 1.5 million.
Government agencies and public institutions have always faced scrutiny for excessive spending, inflated salaries, and administrative inefficiencies, often viewed as unnecessary drains on taxpayer money. The misuse and wastage of resources not only strain national budgets but also limit the government’s ability to deliver essential services effectively.
Another area of wastage is the high travel expenses incurred by government officials who attend numerous international conferences. While some of these trips are necessary, many are seen as opportunities for personal gain rather than public benefit, with substantial per diem allowances. These travel expenditures, which include business-class flights and luxurious accommodations, draw funds away from domestic development projects.
