The Ugandan Ministry of Defence is set to implement a phased salary enhancement for soldiers ranking from Private to Captain. This move is aimed at closing the pay gap in military service and improving the pension incentives for lower-ranking officers, aligning them more closely with the broader public service salary standards.
Under the new structure, a Private’s pay will see a significant increase from the current UGX 485,279 to a new rate of UGX 828,426. Similarly, the salary for a Lance Corporal (L/CPL) will rise from UGX 494,912 to UGX 1,003,025, and a Corporal (CPL) will receive UGX 1,117,848, up from UGX 504,544.
At the higher end of this scale, a Captain’s pay will almost triple from UGX 845,638 to UGX 2,736,333. This substantial salary revision reflects the government’s recognition of the dedication and service provided by the UPDF personnel.
However, it is noted that there is a funding gap of UGX 962.23 billion to implement these new salary rates in the financial year 2024/25. The committee has recommended that the salary enhancement for the lower cadre staff be prioritized and that the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development (MoFPED) provide an additional allocation to cover the wage bill for the mentioned financial year.
The commitment to enhancing the salaries of lower-ranking officers not only addresses their welfare but is also expected to bridge the gap towards achieving slightly closer to the broader public service salary standards.
These changes are set to be implemented immediately as part of broader efforts to enhance the welfare of army personnel, including education and healthcare provisions within army barracks.
