NICHOLAS A
Workers in the Western Region of Uganda have raised concerns about salary disparities that they say demoralize many workers, ultimately crippling service delivery across the country.
These concerns were voiced during a three-day workshop organized by the National Organization of Trade Unions, held at Okapi Hotel in Rukungiri Municipality, Rukungiri District. The workshop, which ran from Monday, January 13, 2025, to Wednesday, brought together various stakeholders, including district labor officers, district councilors representing workers, and leaders of trade unions such as the Uganda National Teachers Union and the Uganda Nurses and Midwives Union, from districts across the Western Region of Uganda.
Gakuru Gideon, the Kisoro District Labor Officer, highlighted low salaries as the primary factor demotivating workers. He noted that salary disparities in Uganda severely affect service delivery, citing the differences in pay between science and non-science teachers as an example.
Gakuru also expressed concerns about inadequate funding for labor departments, which hampers their operations. He revealed that labor officers often fail to visit workplaces for monitoring due to a lack of transport means. He called on the government to address this issue by providing better facilitation for labor officers.
Musiimenta Keredonia Bakironda, the councilor for workers in Rukungiri, emphasized the need to motivate workers by increasing their salaries. She proposed that the process of improving workers’ conditions should begin at the grassroots level by electing representatives at sub-county, town council, and division levels to ensure workers’ challenges are effectively addressed.
Responding to the concerns about low salaries, Hajj Swaliki Masokoi Wasswa, the Rukungiri Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), stated that there is little hope for salary increments in Uganda. He urged civil servants to explore alternative income sources to supplement their salaries.
Richard Bigirwa, the Secretary-General of the National Organization of Trade Unions, explained that the workshop aimed to enhance digital organizing and address climate change. He acknowledged that the salary disparities between science and non-science teachers were a mistake and assured attendees that the issue would be revisited and corrected soon.
Bigirwa also pointed out that the poor performance of labor officers stems from a lack of facilitation, which limits their ability to fulfill their responsibilities. He encouraged workers to actively advocate for their rights, including seeking compensation for workplace injuries.
Ms. Kellen Kagisha, the Rukungiri Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC), served as the guest of honor during the workshop’s closure. She urged participants to embrace and empower digitalization, commending the National Organization of Trade Unions for organizing the event. However, Kagisha cautioned workers to advocate for their rights peacefully and avoid disruptive demonstrations that could hinder service delivery.
