Rugunda’s new perks

What you need to know:

The new premier will have to adjust to new lifestyle and benefits that come with the office of the Prime Minister.

Kampala- When premier-designate Ruhakana Rugunda is approved by Parliament tomorrow, he will have at his disposal an office replete with wide-ranging perks and privileges, a far cry from those he enjoyed as Health minister.

The perks of a premier are provided for under the 2010 Emoluments and Benefits of the President, vice president and prime minister Act.

As premier, Dr Rugunda will be taking home a salary of 166 currency points [about Shs3.2m with a currency point valued at Shs20.000], while also being permitted to pocket a responsibility allowance of 40 per cent of the basic salary, making it Shs1.28m. Dr Rugunda will also have at his table an unspecified mobilisation facility per month.
He will also be entitled to a subsistence allowance of Shs4.5 million.

Dr Rugunda will take home as gratuity, 40 per cent (Shs800,000) of the salary payable after every 12 months in office or as he may require.

To ensure that communication flows freely, the Premier is facilitated with a telephone allowance equivalent to Shs200,000 per month.

For travel, the Premier will be entitled to two chauffeured vehicles propped up by a police lead vehicle to help him snake through the traffic gridlock in the city. The fuel consumption rate should be between 3,000 to 3,500 cc.
Adding to his First Class travel, the PM will be entitled to a transit allowance and an out of pocket allowance at a rate of 20 per cent of the subsistence allowance plus a daily Safari travel allowance of Shs140,000 per day.

For security, the new premier will have to avoid suffering the dilemma that befell Vice President Edward Sekandi when he was appointed VP in 2011. Mr Sekandi struggled to amend himself to the new security demands as he often insisted on visiting his usual public hangouts and private office in the city centre, leaving his security detail side-footed and frustrated.

However, though the benefits that come with the premier’s office are well-laid down, out-going PM Amama Mbabazi always found a way of taking home more than his share.
For instance, Mr Mbabazi’s security detail comprised of military personnel- contrary to the provision that requires that a PM’s security should be manned by police guards. The ex-premier’s Kololo-based home was guarded by at least 40 soldiers.

Following his September 18 sacking, a UPDF operation commanded by Brig Leopold Kyanda, the Chief Staff of Land Forces, stormed his home and withdrew all the military personnel and replaced them with police guards.

To cater for his transport, Mr Mbabazi purchased a Shs600 million Mercedenz Benz, a procurement that raised dust with questions over whether the ex-PM had used donor funds meant for the war-torn Northern Uganda to bankroll the vehicle.

PM’s perks
Salary: 160 Currency points [about Shs3.2m with a currency point valued at Shs20.000].
Allowance Benefits: Subsistence allowance equivalent to 225 currency points.
Responsibility allowance of 40 per cent the basic salary.
Medical allowance to be determined based on market price.
Telephone allowance equivalent to 10 currency points per month.
Subsistence allowance at the rate equivalent to 7 currency points per night within Uganda.
Safari day allowance within Uganda at the rate equivalent to 0.7 currency points per day.
Travel allowance of $430 (about Shs1.1 million) outside Uganda, a transit allowance, and an out of pocket allowance at the rate of 20 per cent of the subsistence allowance.
Forty per cent of the salary as gratuity payable after every twelve months in office or as the Prime Minister may require.
Appropriate transport: Two vehicles with chauffeurs, including police lead vehicle.
Travel first class.
Security: Four police guards at residence and four police escorts.
Mobilisation facility per month.