By Mulengera Reporters
The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has called for income tax exemptions for State Attorneys to address pay disparities between them and their counterparts in the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the Judiciary.
Appearing before the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee on January 16, 2025, Minister of Justice Nobert Mao highlighted the exodus of State Attorneys seeking better terms in the Judiciary due to unequal remuneration. He said, “Many of our lawyers are leaving for greener pastures in the Judiciary, which offers better pay because State Prosecutors in the ODPP are exempted from income tax. We need similar exemptions to make the Ministry competitive.”
However, MP Fox Odoi (West Budama North East) criticized the proposal, calling it “primitive” and pointing out that pay parity for similar work was resolved in the U.S. as early as the 1930s. “It’s shocking that in 2025, Uganda is still grappling with such disparities. The Minister should address this at Cabinet level instead of involving Parliament,” Odoi remarked.
In response, Mao defended the proposal, emphasizing the need for a National Remuneration Agency to harmonize salaries across public service sectors. “The issue of remuneration in Uganda reflects structural imbalances, with top political offices enjoying hefty salaries while local government workers earn far less,” he argued.
Notably, in 2023, Parliament exempted State Prosecutors from income tax, costing the government UGX 7.5 billion annually. The current proposal would extend similar benefits to State Attorneys, joining other public servants like MPs and security officers already enjoying tax-free incomes.
Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee Chairperson Stephen Baka proposed incorporating the Justice Ministry under the Administration of Justice program to standardize pay. However, Permanent Secretary Robert Kasande opposed this, citing the Ministry’s unique responsibilities beyond the Judiciary, such as representing Uganda in regional and international fora.
Additionally, Minister Mao appealed for an exemption to the government’s blanket ban on vehicle purchases to facilitate State Attorneys’ mobility. “With the Judiciary increasing High Court circuits, we need more vehicles to avoid delays in court processes,” he noted.
Minister Mao Critiques Law Council Over Karua Case
During the same committee meeting, Minister Mao criticized the Uganda Law Council’s handling of Kenyan lawyer Martha Karua’s application for a temporary practicing certificate to represent former presidential candidate Kizza Besigye. Mao described the Council’s conduct as unprofessional and overly politicized.
“The Council should have responded professionally with clear reasons for rejecting the application instead of delving into political rhetoric,” Mao stated. “Institutions must remain impartial, akin to Catholic priests hearing confessions.”
MP Fox Odoi questioned the Ministry’s lessons from the debacle, pointing to the hypocrisy of denying Karua’s application despite President Museveni’s advocacy for East African integration. “The President promotes regional integration, yet our institutions contradict these efforts by barring professionals from practicing across borders,” Odoi observed.
The incident underscores the challenges Uganda faces in aligning its domestic policies with regional integration goals, a matter Mao pledged to address to prevent similar embarrassments in the future. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
