Uganda’s national army, the UPDF, has reportedly set aside some money to increase salaries of some army officers and commanders in the current (2022-2023 Financial Year), and that more officers will have their salaries raised in the next financial year.
While government had insisted that only salaries of scientists would be enhanced in the current financial year, reports have emerged that some high ranking officers could have their salaries enhanced starting this month.
According to The Nile Post, a source has confided in the publication that the administration of the UPDF and Defence Ministry has informed Parliament that the new salary structure showing how Generals would have their salaries raised.
The publication also claimed that according to the draft salary structure, the lowest paid officers of the UPDF such as at the rank of private, will have their salaries increased from about Shs300,000 to about Shs1.5m.
That those between the rank of Major and Brigadier are expected to be raised from Shs2m to nearly Shs10m.
The report also suggested that the salaries of Generals will be raised from Shs4m to Shs15m.
The Pearl Times could not independently verify these claims, but the debate on salaries has in recent months taken centre stage with different groups of government employees even going on strike to demand salary increment.
A few weeks ago, there were also reports that UPDF officers had not been paid for many months. (Read Story Here).
REVEALED: Top Museveni Minister Reveals When Arts Teachers’ Salaries Will Be Increased
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).