The minister for finance Matia Kasaija has made a commitment of ensuring funds are immediately released to cater for salaries of civil servants who have not been paid their December salaries.

Speaking during Parliament's sitting on Friday, Kasaija said, “Salaries take a first call when we are releasing funds. We have made a commitment we will ensure funds for salaries are released even today.”

The minister requested the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa to permit him excuse himself away from the Parliament sitting so that he goes back to the Finance Ministry to ensure the matter is expeditiously handled.

The minister had been put to task to respond after Hoima Municipality MP Patrick Isnigoma had raised the issue that so many civil servants have not received their salaries for December.

“Yesterday I saw on TV news the CAO of Nakaseke district explaining that he was unable to pay December salaries for the district workers because the Finance Ministry had not given them enough money. Recently, the Hoima CAO also explained why he was unable to pay salaries. The minister needs to tell us what is happening,” Isingoma stated.

The Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga said, “Did we have to remind you to pay salaries; that a member had to raise the matter and you are prompted to make calls to resolve the matter. Is that how you run government?”

Tayebwa appealed to the minister to do whatever it takes to ensure workers are paid their salaries, arguing that payment of salaries is a statutory obligation, which has to be a top priority in releasing funds.

Tayebwa also implored the finance ministry and the Ministry of Public Service to ensure salaries of police legal officers which were reduced are re-instated.

“It is illegal to reduce someone’s salary. The salaries of police legal officers were reduced from sh5m to sh2m. That matter has to be resolved as soon as possible. You cannot review someone’s salary to his detriment,” Tayebwa stated.