A crisis has hit the ministries of Public Service and Finance, as well as the Bank of Uganda (BoU), following the failure to pay some civil servants their December salaries, with different entities trading blame over the delays.
While local governments say the problem originated from the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Uganda, the ministry insists its systems are operating normally and that any challenges must be isolated to specific local governments.
‘As far as I am aware, there are no system failures at MoFPED, BoU, or Public Service. We are fully operational and processed salaries as expected and to our usual standards,’ said Mr Jim Mugunga, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED), yesterday.
However, sources who spoke on condition of anonymity said the system failure was at the ministry level. They claimed that while some districts received funds last week, others that delayed payment and planned to process salaries this week were affected by the system failure.
In Bukedea District, the delay has been attributed to failure to access the payment system. Mr Joseph Ochom, the acting chief administrative officer, called for calm as the district works with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the matter.
‘This is to inform you that due to challenges related to invoicing rights in the Integrated Management System (IMS), payment of December salaries will be delayed. The district is working hand- in-hand with the Ministry of Finance to ensure the problem is resolved as fast as possible to enable payment of salaries and other obligations,’ Mr Ochom said.
However, Mr Mugunga dismissed the Bukedea issue as an isolated case caused by indiscipline among district officials. He said the district had been sanctioned and would only regain access to the system after addressing issues raised by the ministry.
‘In as far as Bukedea is concerned, the local government is under sanctions due to failure to comply with mandatory statutory submissions. This is a localised issue that the accounting officer is well aware of. Non-timely performance cannot be blamed on MoFPED but should be recognised as an obligation the local government must fulfil to trigger rights to effect payments, including invoicing rights on the system,’ Mr Mugunga said.
‘The ministry is saddened to note that this local government-originated problem has persisted and calls upon the responsible officers to immediately meet statutory requirements. This delay can easily be resolved by the relevant Bukedea leadership if it elects to fulfil requirements as expected, rather than resort to claims of non-existent system faults,’ he added.
However, it has emerged that Bukedea is not the only affected district. Mr Filbert Baguma, the secretary general of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union, said on Tuesday that the problem is widespread, with teachers in several districts yet to receive their December salaries.
‘We have received complaints from our members, and we are compiling a list of districts that have not paid their teachers and other civil servants,’ Mr Baguma said.
He added that even in districts where salaries have been paid, anomalies have been reported.
‘We are engaging the government, including the ministries of Finance and Public Service, to establish where the problem originates and how it can be addressed so that civil servants receive their money before Christmas,’ Mr Baguma added.
Mr Hassan Madimba, the secretary general of the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union, also acknowledged receiving complaints from members and said he was engaging the Ministry of Public Service to resolve the situation.
However, Mr Mugunga maintained that ministry records show only four local governments have not paid salaries due to failure by accounting officers to meet statutory obligations. These include Bukedea District, Kumi Municipal Council, Karenga District, and Kotido District.
‘As far as I am concerned, only the above have not paid salaries due to statutory non-compliance. It should be recalled that the PSST has in the past warned accounting officers to behave professionally, be accountable, or risk sanctions and disappointment. Overall, salary payment stands at 97 percent,’ Mr Mugunga said.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Service, Ms Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, said she was still verifying claims of non-payment and would respond after completing the process.
‘I am still verifying your claims and will revert. Since I am still at the verification stage, you will have to give me time,’ she said.
Earlier, Ms Musingwiire had directed accounting officers to ensure that all civil servants are paid by December 23.