Government has backtracked on its earlier promise to increase salaries of scientists, saying there is Postponement of salary enhancements across the board until the economy recovers from the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The details of the latest decision are contained in the National Budget Framework Paper FY 2022/23- FY2026/27 that was tabled by Henry Musasizi, State Minister for Finance General Duties during yesterday’s plenary sitting.
According to Government, enhancement of salaries, wages and gratuity for scientists, Uganda Peoples’ Defences Forces (UPDF) and integration of the Local Defence Units (LDUs) into the UPDF requires Shs1.9Trn and this will raise the total wage bill from Shs. 5.533Trn to Shs7.433Trn next financial year.
It should be recalled that Government also made a commitment to enhancing salaries of public servants by 50% starting FY2015/16 over the next three financial years. However, to date, only 30% increment to some categories like Permanent Secretaries, health workers and scientists has been implemented.
The Presidential Advisory Committee on the Budget that studied the proposal for salary enhancement recommended to Government to develop a road map for the implementation of this commitment.
Now, the Ministry of Finance has halted all salary increments in order to develop proposals on how the salary enhancements will be implemented.
“Against this background, Government is developing a proposal for enhancing all cadres in Government beginning with health workers and other scientists,” the National Budget Framework Paper reads in part.
