By Racheal Nuwahereza

Uganda Nurses and Midwives under their umbrella body Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union (UNMU) have today laid down their tools citing low pay.

UNMU announced that its members would start a strike today, joining thousands of allied health professionals who started theirs on May 17th.

Justus Cherop Kiplangat, the UNMU president, says they embarked on this because the government is undermining them and it doesn’t give them hope.

“There is industrial action beginning today. We have rejected the letter from the Ministry of Public Service asking us to halt the planned industrial action because the letter was not telling how much nurses are going to earn. We want to know how much they plan to enhance our salary. Doctors have been given already, the science teachers were given, so nurses are not aware of how much they will be given,” he said.

In a letter dated May 16th Wilson Mukasa Muruli, the Minister of Public Service, had appealed to the nurses under UNMU, to halt the planned strike.

 “This is to inform you that the Cabinet directed enhancement of salaries of health professionals and scientists in the Financial Year 2022/2023. Accordingly, funds have been provided in the budget for FY 2022/2023, and salaries for all health professionals, including nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals will be enhanced effective 1st July 2022,” the minister wrote.

Catherine Bitarakwate, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, had earlier revealed that UGX 400b had been earmarked for enhancing the salaries of scientists and all health workers. She however noted that the ministry is yet to announce the final salary structure.

Cherop said a nurse with a degree gets UGX 2m and a medical doctor with a degree gets around UGX 4m, adding that they need the salary for nurses with degrees to be increased from UGX 2m to UGX 4.8m as doctors get UGX 5m in the next financial year.

Their strike comes at a time when thousands of allied health professionals have laid down their tools over low pay and poor working conditions which the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Health ministry said is having a devastating effect on the country’s healthcare.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

At least 49 generals are set to retire from the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) in July 2022.

According to the list, two officers at the rank of General, three lieutenant generals, 10 officers at the rank of Major General and 19 brigadiers will be officially relieved of active service.  

In a statement released by the UPDF on Thursday, the 3-day documentation and sensitization exercise for the impending UPDF retirees was concluded at the Land Force headquarters in Bombo.

The statement also revealed that the last batch (batch 12) of the exercise which is specifically for about 49 General Officers impending retirement is set to be conducted on 16^th and 17^th May 2022 at Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs/UPDF General Headquarters in Mbuya in the Chief of Personnel and Administration boardroom.

Among the notable senior army officers set to retire is the former coordinator of Intelligence Agencies, Gen David Sejusa, a renegade officer, coordinator of intelligence services and a senior presidential adviser who first applied to leave the army in 1996, former Security minister, Gen Elly Tumwine who shot first NRA bullet, the long serving chairperson of General Court Martial; Lt Gen Andrew Gutti, , Lt Gen Prossy Nalweyiso, first female UPDF General attached to State House, Lt Gen John Mugume, Maj Gen Elly Kayanja, the Operation Wembley lord that rid Kampala city of violent crime, Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, Maj Gen Kyomukama Kasura, Maj Gen Stephen Kashaka, Maj Gen Joram Kakari and Maj Gen Phenehas Kaitirima, Maj Gen Geoffrey Muhesi, Maj Gen Burundi Nyamunywanisa, Maj Gen Michael Odonga, a two-time commander of AMISOM, currently attached to Saudi Arabia, Maj Gen Gavas Mugyenyi, and Maj Gen Octavius Buturo among others.

An independent research by this publication established that most of those to retire are part of the 1986 National Resistance Army liberation war that brought the current government into power.

According to sources in the military, the retirement of the top generals, most of whom are Bush War heroes, is set to be followed by a major promotion of other officers as the army leadership undergoes a transition.

The UPDF Conditions and Terms of Service provide that it’s illegal to keep army officers in active service once they clock a certain age but are not promoted to the next rank. For instance, at the age of 40, if a captain is not promoted to major, the army must retire that officer.

Section 28, Cap 307 of the UPDF law, Terms of Service specifically indicates that from the rank of Lieutenant to Captain, one can apply for early retirement at 40 years, while a major can leave service at 45. A lieutenant colonel can retire at 47 and a colonel at 51.

From the rank of 2nd Lieutenant to General, an officer can rightly apply for retirement after 14 years of service, while for the lower ranks, one can retire after nine years of service.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Science teachers in all government-aided secondary schools across the country have laid down their tools protesting the government’s failure to effect salary enhancements as promised in the last financial year.

On 22^nd April 2022, the science teachers under their umbrella body Uganda Professional Science Teachers’ Union  (UPSTU) announced that they would lay down their tools starting May 9, 2022, demanding a salary increment effective July 2022 when the new budget begins to operate.

Vicent Elong, the UPSTU national chairperson says that in the first budget framework paper, UGX 111b had been earmarked to enhance salaries for secondary science teachers and UGX 27b for scientists in tertiary institutions.

He added that this money has however been reallocated.

Last year, the teachers accused officials in the ministries of Education, Public Service, and Finance of diverting the UGX 111b meant for their salary enhancement in the 2022/23 financial year adding that the budget framework paper does not reflect the item.

Elong says they will not listen to any empty promises but want to see that their money is allocated in the 2022/23 budget.

The sit-down strike is meant to protest the government’s failure to enhance their salaries and improve their working conditions and push the ministries of Education and Public Service to include salary enhancement in the next financial year, whose budget estimates are said to be in the final stages of being approved by parliament.

UPSTU has at least 16 sub-regions countrywide, all of which resolved in their different executive meetings to lay down tools until the ministry of Public Service enhances their salaries.

Ramadhan Katende, the UPSTU coordinator greater Masaka sub-region said that they are not ready to return to class until government responds to their long awaited demand.

He added that they are in touch with the network in the region and unanimously agreed to participate in the sit-down strike to move the ministry of finance to respond to their salary demands.

Geoffrey Ojara Ojiri, the Chairperson UPSTU Acholi sub-region said that their members won’t enter class until they get clear feedback from the government.

The teachers want the ministry of Public Service to implement the presidential directive and Cabinet resolutions of August 24, 2021, of enhancing salaries for all scientists, including science teachers, to UGX 4m for the newly-appointed degree holders and UGX 3m for diploma holders.

Last week, the Minister of Education and Sports Janet Museveni said that she was aware of the teachers’ plight and that government was working towards addressing it.

Gonzaga Ssewungu, the Kalungu East MP, who has been a frontline advocate for teachers’ rights cautioned government against the move of enhancing salaries for science teachers at the expense of their counterparts who teach arts, saying it would cause financial and social disparities in the sector and discourage others.

“What are you trying to show us? Is it that those who teach arts are useless and so unwanted?” he questioned.

The minister however said that the issue of salary increment is not an issue of science teachers only but cuts across. She said something needs to be done to ensure that all the salaries of teachers nationwide are increased.

Despite the outcry of learners, school administrators and the minister of education for science teachers to be patient, UPSTU members remain adamant saying they will not conduct any class until the government fulfills its promise to enhance their salaries as they have done for scientists in other sectors.

The teachers say that government is non-committal on its pledges and that it has continued to divert funds meant to enhance salaries for the science teachers and they refuse to be easily pushed to subsequent financial years, as has always been the case.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Members of parliament have tasked Gen David Muhoozi, the state minister for Internal affairs to explain what will happen when citizens national IDs expire in 2 years’ time.

As the 2^nd December 2024 expiry date for some national IDs nears, Betty Ethel Naluyima, the Wakiso woman MP expressed concern over the UGX 50,000 for renewal which she said many Ugandans may not be able to afford and called for comprehensive program on the renewal process.

In response, Gen Muhoozi said National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) is working on a program for the mass renewal of National IDs.

Gen Muhoozi also said that the replacement fees was misreported by the media clarifying that the fee was proposed only for changes relating to correction of dates of birth where the error was made by the ID bearer and not all other changes.

Adding that the revision is still subject to consideration by government and all stakeholders including Parliament and that it has not been approved or taken effect.

Gen. Muhoozi promised to come with an explanation next week on Thursday as tasked by parliament.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Members of Parliament on the Budget Committee have questioned Government’s preparedness to implement the Parish Development Model (PDM).

This follows a budgetary shortfall of UGX 72.8 billion required for effective coordination and supervision of PDM in FY 2022/23 presented by Godfrey Onzima, the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Service and Local Government.

Out of the 72.8 billion required by the Ministry of Local Government, 20 billion is for Secretariat operations and pillar Working Groups, and 52.8 billion is for local governments. The Ministry also needs an additional 26.69 billion as facilitation for parish chiefs.

The revelation raised concern from a section of MPs who noted that the government is not well prepared to implement the model that is envisaged to help poverty eradication.

Patrick Isiagi, the Budget Committee Chairperson, expressed concern over how the government is handling the model.

He said that it is unfortunate that up to now there is no money to facilitate parish chiefs, who are the drivers of the strategic program.

Fox Odoi, the Budama North East MP said he is disappointed that the government cannot pay focal persons at the parish.

Under this initiative, each of the 10,594 parishes in the country is supposed to receive UGX 17 million in the current financial year to start the implementation of the programme. According to the plan, each parish will receive UGX 100 million with effect from the next financial year 2022/2023.

The MPs claim that the apparent strategy could go to waste if the project is not adequately funded and coordinated to serve its intended purpose.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

Government of Uganda has revealed that the process to amend the laws regulating the Media Industry in Uganda has already begun.

On Tuesday, Uganda joined the World to commemorate the World Press Freedom Day with a range of activities organized by Uganda Human Rights Commission at ICT Hub in Nakawa.

Godfrey Kabyanga Baluku, the Minister of State for ICT and National Guidance noted that a committee has been put in place to have these ideas collected and later the amendment geared towards improving on the performance of the media as it also considers the social media platforms.

Baluku noted that the 360 radio stations are too many, with most of them employing comedians who make fun of important issues in the country and prioritizing playing music more than news.

Speaking at the same function, Uganda Human Rights Commission Chairperson Mariam Wangadya asked journalists to be professional while doing their work and castigated Uganda’s security agents for always leading the queue in violating press freedom in Uganda.

Meanwhile, opposition’s Democratic Party wants the government to work closely with the media owners to address the welfare of the practicing media personnel.

Addressing the news Conference at the party offices on Tuesday, Gerald Siranda, the Party Secretary General, argued that this will save media professionals from seeking greener pastures as well as promote independence reporting.

This comes at a time when Uganda’s Press Freedom Index is worsening with the latest release ranking Uganda at position 132 globally.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

As the world celebrates the World press freedom day, journalists in Uganda have decried the poor working conditions and poor pay.

A section of journalists said celebrating the world press freedom day serves no meaning since a number of journalists are either paid poorly or not paid at all.

“We are still restricted in terms of access to information as we try to inform the public. Also, there is lack of proper unification; most bosses for some of our colleagues have a bad habit of poorly paying journalists or not paying at all. Many of our colleagues have gone years and months without pay. I believe we need one voice, where our grievances can be handled lawfully,” Ndugu Brian Ampumuza, a freelance journalist.

 “Journalists are still not respected enough, our colleagues are beaten while covering news stories and there is limited access to some crucial information. We are not allowed to do our jobs, yet we even deserve to be protected by government,” said Paddy Byaruhanga, a journalist with Kazo FM.

“Most of us journalists are entangled in politics; we end up doing more public relations stories than journalism work. We are extremely partisan, not objective at all, we have conflict of interest and it affects the quality of journalism in this country,” said Darius Kanyangoga, a freelance journalist.

An independent study by Kazo FM has revealed that although, the 2006 Employment Act requires employers to make timely payment of remuneration to the employees, most journalists don’t get paid and some take long to be paid and when these journalists speak out, they are threatened with dismissal from their places of work and this has greatly affected the quality of output in journalism.

In 1993, the United Nations General Assembly declared May 3^rd May to be World Press Freedom Day to evaluate press freedom, observe and raise awareness about the importance of freedom of press, defend the media from attacks on their independence, pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives while exercising their profession and remind journalists of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal declaration of Human Rights.

According to United Nations (UN) information page, the 2022 commemoration under the theme “Journalism Under Digital Siege” was intended to highlight the multiple ways in which surveillance and digitally mediated attacks endanger journalists and journalism.

By Racheal Nuwahereza

The Inspectorate of Government has recovered about UGX 4bn from misappropriated and misallocated funds between 2018 and 2021.

During an engagement with district chairpersons in Kampala, Anne Muhairwe Twinomugisha, the Deputy Inspector General of Government revealed that during the same period over 4,000 cases were investigated and completed leading to the arrest and prosecution of 97 public officers.

According to the 2021 survey by the Inspectorate of Government, the Ugandan government loses UGX 20 trillion every year to corruption with at least UGX 131bn lost through taxation, 459bn lost in user fees utilities, 820bn lost in natural resources,15bn lost in environmental degradation, 2bn lost as a result of absenteeism in government departments, 451bn lost in health care and education services, 86bn in security provision, 590bn in procurement and budgeting, and 233bn in regulation.

Muhairwe urged the leaders at local government level and their people to join the fight against corruption to ensure that it is a success.