KAMPALA – Cabinet has agreed to revise allowances for public servants in the next financial year that starts on July 1 in order to cater for the rising cost of living.
Addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) on Tuesday, the deputy government spokesperson, Col Shaban Bantariza, said government approved the proposed revised rates of duty facilitation allowances for public officers, which include night within and outside Uganda, lunch, transport, and sitting allowances, among others
“This revision is intended to enable officers cope with economic changes that have occurred since 2008 when the revisions were last made, specifically the cost of goods and services and general cost of living have certainly gone up between 2008 and 2018,” Col Bantariza said.
He added that the government intends to provide adequate duty facilitation allowances to enable public officers acquire the basic services for which the allowance seek to achieve and this will improve the image of government.
“This will also support the team of lower cadre staff, including the stenographers, drivers, body guards, office attendants and others with low salaries to perform their duties with morale,” he added.
Currently, permanent secretaries earn Shs150,000 per day in transport allowances while drivers get Shs 55,000, which Col Bantariza said is not fair compared to the current cost of living.
