The Ugandan government has increased the national wage bill by Shs 724.7 billion, bringing the total to Shs 8.55 trillion in the 2025/2026 financial year.
This move aims to enhance salaries for selected public servants, including Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs), police and prison officers, and senior civil servants in local governments.
Salary Increases
– CAOs will now earn Shs 12.75 million, a more than fivefold increase from Shs 2.37 million.
– Town Clerks of City Councils, Deputy Directors, Commissioners, Undersecretaries, and Foreign Service Officers (Grade I) will also earn Shs 12.75 million, up from Shs 1.86-2.08 million.
– Senior police and prison officers received substantial raises, with Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGPs) and their prison counterparts earning Shs 12.75 million, up from Shs 7-8.8 million.
– Assistant Commissioners’ salaries jumped from Shs 1.6 million to Shs 3.8 million, while Superintendents now earn Shs 2.05 million, up from Shs 990,000.
Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa said the enhancements are part of a strategy launched in the 2018/2019 financial year, which has so far seen Shs 2.4 trillion invested in improving salaries, particularly in critical sectors.
“We are now entering the second phase, focusing on covering all remaining staff,” Minister Mukasa said. “With this progression, we are on track to meet 77% of our medium-term salary targets.”
The new wage bill accounts for approximately 11.8% of the national budget, currently estimated at Shs 72.4 trillion.
Of the total wage bill, 58.9% goes to central government civil servants and public leaders, 48% supports personnel at the local government level, and the rest covers staff at foreign missions.
President Yoweri Museveni has consistently defended the prioritization of scientists in pay enhancements, citing their strategic role in national development.
He has assured that as revenues grow, other civil servants will also benefit.
In recent months, secondary school arts teachers staged a strike demanding salary parity with science teachers, and the government has promised to implement a 25% salary increment for the group in the next financial year.
