The Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development has come under scrutiny as a section of its staff reveals that they have endured three months of salary delays. This critical issue involves 108 employees, comprising IT officers, assistant IT officers, dispatch clerks, drivers, records officers, assistant records officers, and communication officers. The affected workers’ salaries are categorized under U4, U5, and U8 scales according to the Public Service Ministry.
| Job Position | Monthly Salary (UGX) |
|---|---|
| IT Officers | 4,000,000 |
| Assistant IT Officers | 2,000,000 |
| Dispatch Clerks | 180,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Drivers | 180,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Records Officers | 180,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Assistant Records Officers | 180,000 – 1,200,000 |
| Communication Officers | 180,000 – 1,200,000 |
IT officers receive a monthly salary of UGX 4 million, and their assistants earn UGX 2 million because they are classified as scientists, while the remaining staff members receive salaries ranging from UGX 180,000 to UGX 1.2 million. The total sum of the overdue salaries was not disclosed. Shockingly, only two out of the 26 assistant officers have been receiving their salaries, exacerbating the growing problem.
In a hand-written petition dated October 16, these affected workers informed Members of Parliament (MPs) that their decision to petition was born out of desperation after exhausting all available means to seek an explanation. They added, “As we speak, our landlords are threatening to throw us out of houses.” The situation has reached a point where their livelihoods and homes are at risk.
Mr. Charles Bakkabulindi, a workers’ MP, confirmed that he had not yet received the workers’ petition. However, he pledged to take immediate action and follow up on the matter to ensure that their grievances are addressed without further delay. The urgency of this matter cannot be overstated, given the hardships faced by these employees.
Mr. Denis Obbo, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Lands, admitted that some staff members have not been paid for three months. He explained that the delay in salary payments was caused by the ministry’s transition from the previous payment system to a new human capital system. This transition was intended to decentralize the payment process. Unfortunately, during this transitional period, the ministry encountered system failures that adversely affected some employees.
In response to the ongoing crisis, Mr. Obbo announced that a meeting had been held with the Public Service Ministry to address this matter promptly. He reassured the affected staff that all outstanding salaries would be paid within the next few days, alleviating the financial burden that they have endured for far too long.