Uganda People's Defense Forces-UPDF has rescinded the proposed pay rise for soldiers this financial year citing lack of money.
In a radio message sent out to all army Units last evening, Gen. David Muhoozi, the Chief of Defense Forces-CDF, says there shall not be any salary increment for the soldiers this financial year as previously proposed.
"This is to inform you that due to budgetary constraints, the planned salary enhancement will not be possible this financial year. The required amounts totaling to Shillings 43.7 billion inclusive of payment of recruits currently undergoing trainings is unavailable," reads the message in part.
The Army had previously proposed to effect salary increments, which would see the lowest paid soldier earning Shillings 469,355 from Shillings 385,279 each month. A 2nd Lieutenant would earn Shillings 798,667 compared to the Shillings 543,690 they currently earn each month.
The planned pay rise was meant to cater for private soldiers up to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant because enhancement across all the ranks was unaffordable, according to the message.
Brigadier Richard Karemire, the UPDF Spokesperson had previously said the planned increment was meant to ensure that the lowest paid soldier gets an equivalent of what a primary school teacher earns.
Lt. Col. Deo Akiiki, the Deputy UPDF spokesperson has confirmed the suspension of the proposed pay rise. He explains that the planned pay rise hasn't been possible since the economy hasn't been stable.
According to Akiiki, in the meantime the army has decided to focus on issues of strategic importance.
Government allocated the Defense Ministry Shillings 463.54 billion for the 2017/2018 financial year as compared to Shillings 459.84 billion in the 2016/2017 financial year to cater for the pay rise for the soldiers.
