President Museveni was in lashing mood while speaking at national labour day celebrations in Ssembabule, lashing out on the medical doctors and then teachers whom he claimed were carrying nonsense arguments over the recent decision by cabinet to raise salaries for their science counterparts.
“I don’t want to hear that nonsense; we the freedom fighters have been working for the last 50 years for no pay but I am here. I heard some people talking nonsense, if you increase the salary for a science teacher I will get low as the head teacher, that is your problem,” he said.
“I am the president of Uganda, I get a low pay, Shs3.6m, this I accepted in 1996 because the MPs tricked me. I was getting Shs150,000 before. Authority does not depend on salary; I have authority even with the low pay. Don’t bring those nonsensical arguments,” he added.
“We are not against paying the others but if we don’t have enough money now, should we say that we pay no body? Or if we have some money whom do we start with, we chose science people because it is very difficult to retain them,” he said.
Museveni’s comments were sparked by National Organisation of Trade Unions chairman general Usher Wilson Owere who had implored him to have second thoughts on the Cuban Doctors issue and also called upon the President to increase salaries for workers
“Why don’t we pay that Shs 5million (meant for Cuban doctors) to Ugandan health workers? These people in government are looking for kickback and not improving service delivery. We should ensure public servants are well paid and motivated. We know you mean well for this country and I hope you won’t be misled,” he said.
