Kampala, Uganda | THIS WEEK | In a Sept.04 press conference government responded to demands of judicial officers who had for over a week been on strike over low pay. Maj.Gen Kahinda Otafiire, the Justice and Constitutional affairs minister urged the officers to go back to work as their issues will be handled as soon as the public service ministry finishes the process of harmonizing salaries of all government employees.
“Government has agreed to provide judicial officers with security, vehicles, housing allowances and office equipment,” he said adding,” At the same time Cabinet has ordered the Ministry of Public Service to review emoluments of all public servants including judicial officers.”
The harmonization process that is expected to be complete by October, Otafiire said is intended to ensure equity, sustainability and adequacy in public service.
Meanwhile as judicial officers continue putting down their tools, prisons and police are being overwhelmed by numbers forcing them to release those charged with minor offences.