Lecturers demand answers over pay increment

Kampala.

Lecturers from six public universities have asked the government to explain why its salary increment pledge has not been honoured in the coming financial year, which starts in June.

At a meeting on Thursday, the universities’ representatives agreed to engage the ministries of Finance, Education and politicians after they learnt that their Shs50 billion was not included in the 2017/2018 budget estimates.

Dr Grace Lubaale, the interim chairperson of Public Universities Academic Staff Forum, said despite President Museveni’s promise of salary enhancement for academic staff, they learnt two weeks ago that their money has not been included in the budget framework.

“After learning that the budget papers from the ministry of Finance did not include our money, we approached different officials, who confirmed that we were not included. We need an explanation as to why our money is not there,” Dr Lubaale said.
President Museveni in August 2014 met the lecturers at State House, Entebbe and committed to have a budgetary allocation for salaries increased from the previous Shs180 billion to Shs300 billion with effect from the 2015/2016 financial year.

The money was supposed to be shared out among close to 3,000 lecturers teaching in Kyambogo, Makerere, Busitema, Mbarara and Gulu universities.

Dr Lubaale said they agreed with the ministry of Education in 2015 to pay that money in phases, confirming that they have so far received two installments amounting to Shs100 billion in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 financial years.

The interim spokesperson of the forum, Mr Deus Kamunyu, told Saturday Monitor that a team of members has been set to engage different stakeholders so as to ensure that their money is included in the budget before it is read.

He also said the forum will hold assemblies in the different universities to inform members about the developments.