By Mugoya Paul Polly
The appointment of over 350 assistant Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) is set to increase the country’s wage bill by Shs3b annually, a development legislators said was counterproductive to ongoing efforts to thin public expenditure.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Hon Joel Ssenyonyi (Nakawa West) said the recruitments were a contradiction to efforts to thin public expenditure and duplication of roles.
According to the salary structure for political leaders issued by the Ministry of Public Service for the Financial Year 2023/2024, each assistant RDC will earn Shs817,216 monthly, translating to Shs9.8m annually. This translates to Shs2.9b annually for all newly appointed assistant RDCs.
With 147 RDCs taking home a total of Shs3.9b annually and 163 deputy RDCs with an annual take home of Shs2.4b, the total wage bill for RDCs comes to Shs9.2b.
This money should have gone to help the struggling social services, more especially in health. But I know in the President’s mind, he knows that Ugandans suffer from a condition known as alexithymia, which is when people fail to respond to issues and situations.
Even if petrol costs 100.000K per litre, Mr. President, be rest assured that no one will be bothered by whatever you do with Uganda. Even if you appoint 500 new Ministers, be assured that there will be no noise making, God has given you the blessing to play around with this gullible sleeping lot.
This disease of Ugandans being unresponsive, and apathetic has reached appalling worrying levels. I know the President is aware of this condition that has afflicted all the classes in our society including people who are highly educated people who should have spoken for the voiceless. We have become a mediocre class of people.
The President takes advantage of this weakness for his benefit. In Luganda, they are called “Bebafu”. I kindly request our President to have a feeling for this country, be compassionate, and give them time to wake up from their slumber. It is the sole responsibility for the President who is also the captain to ensure that this boat called Uganda does not sink. “zukuka”, “muzukuke”! Banange tugwawo!
The writer is a concerned citizen, and FRONASA veteran.
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