The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning along with that of Public Service have been instructed to implement enhanced monthly payment of Shs.15 million to lecturers that teach science subjects in public universities.
The directive was made by President Yoweri Museveni while speaking to the leadership of the Forum of Academic Staff of Public Universities (FASPU) at State House, Entebbe.
Paying fifteen million shillings to university Professors is considered one of the core issues of governments proactive management of university lecturers to boost science and technology development. My approach is to make university science subjects lecturers stable to teach and produce more good quality products for the country. They are not many. Lets finish this commitment with them once and for all, he said.
The 1st Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, State Minister for Planning, David Bahati, that of State for Public Service, David Karubanga and Public Service Permanent Secretary, Catherine Musingwiire, attended the meeting which took place over the weekend.
The Presidenti informed the meeting that Africa was colonized because it lacked knowledge of science and technology. While colonialists were applying scientific gunpowder to conquer Africans, he added, the Africans were still using spears, bows and arrows because they lagged behind in technology.
“Concentrating on giving attention to scientists in terms of remuneration, enhances science and technology development in the country, he observed.
Public Service Permanent Secretary, Catherine Musingwiire, informed the meeting that her Ministry has earmarked Shs.179 billion to pay all lecturers. The amount, she added, also covers science teachers and researchers. She advised non-academic staff to be patient.
The Forum Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Grace Lubaale, thanked President Museveni for striving to support universities’ academic staff.
The financial support will also help to carry out research by scientists, he added.