Following recent strikes and complaints from teachers and doctors, President Museveni has directed the increment of their salaries to meet their demands.
According to President Museveni, lecturers will be paid their desired salaries as earlier agreed in a bid to deal with the issue of salaries once and for all.
“I have also issued a directive to the Minister of Public Service to conclude the issue of payments to government scientists and university teachers by moving them to the desired levels we previously agreed.” Museveni said in a statement.
Museveni also added that the directive has been taken to try and reduce any corruption tendencies that might arise out of low pay when the workers seek better means.
“Paying the medical workers, the government scientists and the academicians well removes the temptation of double loyalty ─ to the public service and the private interest of the employee.” The post reads further.
Museveni passed on the directive in a letter addressed to the Health minister, Jane Ruth Aceng and to the Public Service minister, Wilson Muruli Mukasa on 30th September.
According to his letter, Museveni wants a Professor’s salary to be rised to Shs15m from his old salary of Shs9.6m per month. A Senior Medical Consultant’s salary will also be moved to Shs17m from Shs7.3m.
Also, a University lecturer should earn Shs12.2m from the previous Shs7.3m. A Director Science from Shs3.6m to Shs16m per month while a Doctor’s salary will move from Shs3m to Shs5m.
For the Scientists, their salaries will be hiked to Shs3.5m from the old figure of Shs1.2m.These, together with others yet to be disclosed positions like medical workers, government scientists and academicians are also set to benefit from this pay rise.
Besides, Museveni in his letter, called on the non -academic and non-technical staff who for years have had a longstanding outcry for salary enhancement, to wait until such a time when the country can increase their pay.
“They will be handled later, when we are able,” the President’s one-page letter read in response to the querries of non teaching and non technical staff.
Current Salaries
Professor (science): Shs9.6m
Professor (arts): Shs9m
Associate professor: Shs8.5m
Senior lecturer: Shs7.5m
Lecturer: Shs6.8m
Assistant lecturer: Shs5.3m
Teaching assistant: Shs4.3m
New President Directive
Professor: Shs9.6m- Shs15m
Snr consultant (med): Shs7.3m- Shs17m
University lecturer: Shs7.3m- Shs12.2m
Director Science: Shs3.6m- Shs16m
Doctor: Shs3m- Shs5m
Scientist: Shs1.2m-Shs3.5m
By John Dalton Kigozi
