Last month doctors laid down their tools demanding for a salary increment. After a series of negotiations, the doctors got back to work after commitment from the government that their remuneration would be improved. However, the government said that increments could only be effected in July next year after passing the budget. “We had their leader yesterday here and he told the Committee that one of the things that you have not fulfilled that and come 16th this month they are going to do something else.” “The salary increment for health workers and other public servants is what were are concluding this Saturday in Cabinet and will be effective in July next year. It’s not small money, you can’t just bring a supplementary of a trillion shillings, where are they going to get it from?” Said, Sarah Opendi – State Minister for Health (General Duties).

Upon this pronouncement, doctors threatened to lay down their tools again. “We don’t trust the government, they have to put it in writing preferably an executive order from the President. They have to put it in the budget framework paper the early one which comes out in December it has to be forecasted preferably before the 16th of December when the industrial action will resume in full force.” Said, Dr. Ekwaro Obuku – President, Uganda Medical Association.

“We are reviews salaries of public servants across the board and of course we should be able to conclude on Saturday and then we can inform you accordingly once that is done.” Said Sarah Opendi. With some doctors hedging their head on the supplementary budget, their demands of an increment were scattered when the Parliamentary Health Committee Chairperson Dr. Michael Bukenya revealed that it would only cater for essential hospital supplies. “What am sure of is that the Ministry of Finance promised to come up with a supplementary budget for medicines and supplies and I think they are due to come out with the budget on the floor of the house. And we shall make sure that is delivered based on what we have in the communication.” The doctors’ demanded that the least paid should earn at least 5 million shillings and Senior Consultants 45 million shillings per month.