By Aggrey Baba
In the wake of the government’s efforts to streamline public service through the merger of various agencies, relief has finally come to workers who were absorbed into ministries and state agencies.
The Ministry of Finance has released Ugx 319 billion to pay the salaries of these employees, some of whom have gone without pay since December 2024.
Like a farmer watering a wilting crop, the government has now fulfilled its promise to the affected workers. The funds, which cover salaries from December 2024 to June 2025, have been sent to different ministries and agencies where the absorbed staff are now working.
According to Patrick Ocailap, the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, the money has been disbursed, and it is now up to the accounting officers of the respective ministries to ensure payments are made. He urged the affected staff to follow up with their respective offices in case of delays, noting that many accounting officers are still processing payment warrants.
The funds have been distributed across various ministries to cater for absorbed staff. The Ministry of Water and Environment received Ugx 5.5 billion for former employees of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
The Ministry of Works and Transport got Ugx5.1 billion to pay staff who were transferred from the Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) and the Uganda Road Fund.
The Ministry of Agriculture was allocated Ugx5.9 billion for salaries of workers from the Dairy Development Authority (DDA), Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), Cotton Development Organisation (CDO), and the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS).
Additionally, Ugx3.2 billion was sent to cater for employees absorbed from the Uganda Export Promotion Board and the Uganda Free Zones Authority, while Ugx324 million was directed to salaries of staff moved from the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB) to the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
Officials in the finance ministry indicated that more staff will be paid once their transfer processes are completed.
The issue of unpaid salaries had become a thorn in the flesh of both the government and the affected workers. During a recent parliamentary session, Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa revealed that out of 258 staff submitted for absorption, only 169 were successfully integrated into new structures.
Some did not apply for reappointment, while others lacked the required qualifications. The minister also noted that a list of 24 staff, mainly in administrative and support roles, had been compiled for possible placement in vacant positions within public service.
Kalungu West MP Joseph Ssewungu raised concerns on the floor of Parliament, stating that some of the affected workers were struggling to send their children back to school due to the prolonged salary delays. He questioned why the payments had taken so long despite the absorption process being underway. “When will these workers be paid? They are stuck between their old and new institutions,” he urged.
The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Works, Waiswa Bageya, confirmed that funds had been received and staff would be paid soon. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
