By Aggrey Baba
Public servants hoping for a salary increase in the next financial year may have to wait longer for clarity after ICT Minister Kasule Lumumba said the budgeting process had only just started and no final decision had been announced.
Lumumba cautioned against treating reports of proposed salary adjustments as settled government policy, explaining that any changes would have to emerge through the budgeting process.
She was responding to a question during Tuesday’s press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, where journalists sought clarification on whether government had approved salary increments for public officers.
“The budgeting process for the next financial year has just started,” the minister said.
She explained that the budget process involves several stages and that any confirmed changes to salaries would be communicated through the appropriate official channels.
According to her, the President is expected to announce any approved changes during the budget speech.
The minister’s remarks offer a clarification amid questions about possible salary adjustments, but stop short of confirming whether government is considering particular increases for specific categories of public servants.
She also warned against the unauthorized disclosure of information about Cabinet decisions which have not been finalized.
“If somebody has leaked that out, that is indiscipline and it’s not allowed,” she said, stressing that the process had only just begun.
The minister did not identify the source of the salary claims or specify which public officers were expected to benefit.
Her comments mean that public servants should not regard unconfirmed reports of salary increases as an official commitment until government makes a formal announcement.
Salary adjustments, where approved, would have to be reflected in the government’s budget decisions rather than being treated as final during the early stages of planning.
The minister directed those seeking confirmation to await the budget speech, when government is expected to communicate any approved changes.
