KAMPALA: Police and Prisons salaries enhanced under the new wage structure for the Financial year 2024–2025 that went into effect this month. The monthly salaries of Commissioner General of Prisons Johnson Byabashaija, Inspector General of Police Abbas Byakagaba, and their deputies have more than doubled.
Deputy IGP James Ochaya and Deputy CGP Samuel Akena will also receive Shs13.8 million per month, up from Shs6.7 million, while the IGP and CGP will each earn Shs15.4 million from Shs6.8m. The Assistant Inspector General of Police/Prisons (AIGP), the third-ranking official in both establishments, now receives a salary of Shs6.47 million per month instead of Shs2.3 million.
The Force’s junior employees have also profited from the Police and Prisons Salary increase; the five lowest ranks’ salaries have increased by between Shs64,000 and Shs 79,000. Additionally, the Force’s junior employees have also profited from these pay increments; the five lowest ranks’ salaries have increased by between Shs64,000 and Shs79,000.A Sergeant of Police, Sergeant Warder, or Wardress Sergeant will receive Shs 653,035 while to Shs 600,000 will be paid to a Corporal Police or Corporal Warder.
These modifications are detailed in a June 30 circular released by Catherine Bitarakwate, Permanent Secretary and Ministry of Public Service. Meanwhile the UPDF, the Internal Security Organization, and the External Security Organization are also among the other organizations that benefited from these pay increases in the current fiscal year.
“A total of Shs334.95b has been allocated for enhancement of lower ranks in the UPDF, all ranks except those already enhanced in the UPF, all ranks except those already enhanced in the Uganda Prisons Services, and some ranks in the ISO and the ESO to address pay disparities,” the circular states.
The Defense Public Information officer, Brig Gen Felix Kulayigye, affirmed the improvements and stated that they will play a major role in “improving the morale of our cadres.” The government raised the pay for scientists working in mainstream public service, medical professionals, tutors, and scientific teachers in the previous fiscal year.
The new hike has helped their counterparts in the humanities, the Assistant IGP (Administrative), who saw their salary rise from Shs2.4m to Shs6.4m.
A Senior Superintendent of Police/Prisons will make Shs2.2 million, a Superintendent of Police/Prisons Shs2 million, a Commissioner of Police/Prisons Shs6.4 million, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police/Prisons (Administrative) Shs1.6 million under the revised rates.
Mr Frank Baine, the Prisons spokesperson, said: “It’s very welcome… You know, the economy has not been okay. And if you look at like, for example, if a Senior Commissioner was getting Shs2 million. We are doing patriotism.”
Within the following four years, the government wants to equalize the salaries of all security agency ranks. At the moment, army soldiers make more money than their equivalent ranks in the police and prisons. For example, a senior Commissioner in prisons, who currently makes Shs68 million, is paid the same as a Major General, who makes Shs12 million.
“We have been progressively advancing as the economy stabilises hopefully we shall have a salary matching for all the security agencies as time goes by,” Mr Baine said. The Ministry of Finance’s spokesperson, Mr. Jim Mugunga, announced that reviews would be conducted gradually throughout the entire public service.
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“The Executive has been consistent and clear, promising that a phased incremental approach will be undertaken to cover other elements of the public service, depending on deepening of the revenue resource envelope,” he said.
The improvements and further hiring of department heads in local government, educators, and medical professionals will result in a total salary bill rise of Shs222b, making Shs7.7tn in total.
