Government must honour its promise next financial year
Sep 12, 2011
EDITOR: The issue of salary increment has become a serious issue in Uganda to day. This has been caused by the high cost of living as a result of inflation.
EDITOR: The issue of salary increment has become a serious issue in Uganda to day. This has been caused by the high cost of living as a result of inflation.
To be realistic, the salary for Government workers in different sectors like education, health, Police and many others is not commensurate with the services rendered to the country.
This is what has prompted some of the employees to go on strike. I support the health workers alongside the teachers and lectures to come up and demand for salary increment because it is their right.
However, its timing is not good because it has come at a time when the budget for this financial year is already out. This means every shilling is budgeted for. If these issues had been brought before the budget, maybe the Government would have acted accordingly. Striking at this time is a waste of time since the Government has no money. Several committees to find a solution to the problem have yielded nothing.
Therefore, teachers and lecturers should do what their colleagues in the health sector did—go back to their jobs to at least finish this sensitive third term as they wait to be considered next financial year, which is not very far.
However, while teachers, lectures and doctors are demanding salary increment, they should bear in mind that even other sectors like the Police need the same. In national interest, everybody should pick up their tools once more. Having said that, the Government must also not go back upon its word.
All salaries next financial year must be fairly reviewed to avoid what might happen next. This time there will be no excuse.
Benard Yiga,
Makerere University
EDITOR: The Government has won round one and the teachers have gone back to class. But it should not drop its guard. It might be a very different story next financial year if another excuse or explanation crops up. The teachers' cup is overflowing and threats to sack or replace them might yield nothing.
If only the Government cut the cake proportionately, there would be less bitterness. Why do politicians take the lion's share?
Simon Akugizibwe
Fort Portal
To be realistic, the salary for Government workers in different sectors like education, health, Police and many others is not commensurate with the services rendered to the country.
This is what has prompted some of the employees to go on strike. I support the health workers alongside the teachers and lectures to come up and demand for salary increment because it is their right.
However, its timing is not good because it has come at a time when the budget for this financial year is already out. This means every shilling is budgeted for. If these issues had been brought before the budget, maybe the Government would have acted accordingly. Striking at this time is a waste of time since the Government has no money. Several committees to find a solution to the problem have yielded nothing.
Therefore, teachers and lecturers should do what their colleagues in the health sector did—go back to their jobs to at least finish this sensitive third term as they wait to be considered next financial year, which is not very far.
However, while teachers, lectures and doctors are demanding salary increment, they should bear in mind that even other sectors like the Police need the same. In national interest, everybody should pick up their tools once more. Having said that, the Government must also not go back upon its word.
All salaries next financial year must be fairly reviewed to avoid what might happen next. This time there will be no excuse.
Benard Yiga,
Makerere University
EDITOR: The Government has won round one and the teachers have gone back to class. But it should not drop its guard. It might be a very different story next financial year if another excuse or explanation crops up. The teachers' cup is overflowing and threats to sack or replace them might yield nothing.
If only the Government cut the cake proportionately, there would be less bitterness. Why do politicians take the lion's share?
Simon Akugizibwe
Fort Portal