Junior security personnel from all agencies, from the rank of captain (or its equivalent) to the lowest rank, are set to receive a 25 percent salary increase in the next financial year.
During the budget speech yesterday, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Mr. Matia Kasaija, announced this enhancement for security personnel in the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), Uganda Police, Uganda Prisons, and internal and external intelligence services.
“To the gallant men and women in uniform, at the rank of Captain and below – who are serving in the UPDF, in the Uganda Police, in the Uganda Prisons, in internal and external intelligence services – this budget contains the first instalment to enhance your pay. Continue to serve your country and keep it as safe as you have always done. Happy belated Heroes Day,” Mr. Kasaija stated.
Security personnel have historically been among the lowest earners in Uganda’s public service system. In April, Parliament approved a 100 percent and above pay rise for soldiers at the rank of captain and below.
Mr. Kasaija noted that the government has allocated Shs9.107 trillion for security agencies, including the 25 percent salary enhancement for all security personnel at the rank of captain and below.
Although the 25 percent pay rise will significantly impact the lives of soldiers, it falls short of the more than 75 percent increase that Parliament had approved in April. The pay rise means that a soldier at the lowest rank, a private, will earn Shs606,598.75 per month starting in July this year, up from Shs485,279. In April, Parliament approved a pay rise for the private to Shs828,426.
Parliament also increased the pay for nine other soldiers of different ranks at the lower level beyond 100 percent. A soldier at the rank of captain was to receive Shs2,736,333 after the parliamentary proposal from Shs845,638, but Mr. Kasaija’s budget will set it at Shs1,057,047.5 following the 25 percent enhancement.
Under the new salary scale, a lieutenant will receive Shs965,745 from Shs772,596, while a second lieutenant will earn Shs767,112.5 from Shs613,690.
During the budget discussions in April, many Members of Parliament expressed concerns about increasing soldiers’ salaries while leaving out security personnel from other agencies.
Unlike soldiers, whose agency is semi-autonomous, police and prison officers are under the Ministry of Public Services, which regulates their salaries.
In the police and prisons, the lowest-ranking officer, a police constable or warder, earns Shs470,000 per month, followed by a corporal at Shs530,000, and a sergeant at Shs570,000.
Higher-ranking officers include staff sergeant, constable major, and head constable major. The head constable major is below the Assistant Inspector of Police and Inspector of Police, who earn Shs456,000 and Shs520,000 per month, respectively. Assistant Superintendent of Police/Prisons earn around Shs700,000 and will also receive a 25 percent pay rise.
However, the pay rise for junior security personnel in police and prisons could lead to demands for an enhancement from senior officers, such as superintendents and senior superintendents of police/prisons, who will now earn less than officers below their ranks every month.
 to the lowest rank, are set to receive a 25 percent salary increase in the next financial year.){kind=link}