The newly-appointed Electoral Commission chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, has complained bitterly about the poor remuneration attached to his new job.

Justice Byabakama told parliament’s committee on legal and parliamentary affairs last week that his take-home is less than Shs 5 million after taxation. This is almost half what he was earning as a Court of Appeal judge.

Other commissioners and the secretary of the commission earn between Shs 2 million and Shs 5 million. The commission’s salary structure has reportedly not been revised for 18 years.

This case highlights the wide discrepancies in remuneration that exist among government bodies. As Sam Rwakoojo, the Electoral Commission secretary, told the committee, a driver in one government agency earns more than a commissioner in another. There is no clear explanation as to why some government agencies have way higher salary structures than others.

On January 12, 2017, the ministry of public service issued a circular raising the salaries of the chief justice, deputy chief justice, head of public service, deputy head of public service and permanent secretaries. Staff who work under these officials were not catered for.

Both the EC team and the top officials who have just had their salaries raised deserve good pay. But so do judges, doctors, teachers and lecturers who have similarly clamoured for the same for a long time.

The lack of a coherent structure to guide and standardise salaries and allowances for all government employees is a shame. As a result, we have piecemeal, haphazard salary increments that motivate staff in some organisations while leaving others grumbling.  

The government has previously talked of creating a salaries and wages commission to bridge the huge wage disparities, but this talk has not been translated into action.

A report prepared for parliament by the Equal Opportunities Commission has noted the wide salary and wage disparities among public servants and warned of serious repercussions.

The Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group has also warned about this and called for an establishment of a salary review commission. It’s time for the government to adopt a holistic approach toward the remuneration of all its employees.