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Koboko, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | A section of secondary school teachers in Koboko is up in arms against the district authorities for non payment of their salaries for varying months. The affected teachers told Uganda Radio Network that some of them have gone without pay for more than three months, while others haven’t received any pay for the past five months.
The teachers are considering withdrawing their labor ahead of the reopening of schools for the new term due on February 6, 2023. Ronald Anguyo, one of the affected teachers says that the failure by the district authorities to address the irregularity is uncalled for and contravenes the Public service standing orders.
He further notes that the delayed payment of their salaries has taken a huge toll on the welfare of their families amidst the high cost of living.
Vito Aribaku, a teacher at Francis Ayume Memorial Secondary School in Dranya Sub-county, says that he has lost morale for teaching other people’s children when he cannot feed and take care of his family. He says that he will not bow down to intimidation by authorities ahead of the reopening of schools due next week.
Similarly, Rasul Mambo, a teacher at Padrombu seed Secondary School in Lobule Sub-county explains that life has been so miserable for his family since teachers depend so much on their salaries to survive due to the nature of their work.
Koboko District Education Officer, Wayi Dagamulai acknowledged the anomaly blaming it on budget shortfall as a result of salary enhancement for science teachers by the government. He notes that the situation was exacerbated when the ministry of education posted thirteen new teachers to the district.
According to Dagamulai, the district initially budgeted Shillings 1.2 billion for teachers’ salaries but the posting of new teachers increased their wage bill to Shillings 2.4 billion leaving a deficit of 1.2 billion Shillings.
He appealed for calm from the disgruntled teachers noting that they have submitted a supplementary budget request to the Ministry of Finance for more funding.
In August last year, a group of secondary school teachers in Koboko stormed the district headquarters due to irregularities in salary payments.
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