In a bid to create a science-led economy, Uganda has witnessed a policy shift within its public service, which has resulted in heavy salary and income inequality between public servants, where science professionals are paid higher and higher at the expense of their counterparts, non-science professionals.
This leaves citizens worried about whether it is the beginning or the end of the enhancement of income inequality among civil servants.
Salary inequality in the Ugandan public sector is no longer a lie or a rumour but is visibly evident where science professionals earn much higher than arts rofessionals. This high and sustained level of salary inequality within the public service has significantly undermined individuals’ educational and occupational choices and the evolution of stigma at work. Is this yet to end? Public service ought to answer!
Additionally, the existing behaviour coupled with policy adjustments has greatly threatened the welfare state of the affected categories of employees in the non-science-led sector, as their wages and salaries have remained stagnant despite several calls to the public service for enhanced remunerations. Are we in the ‘Animal Farm’ of George Orwell, where ‘some animals are more equal than others?’
This kind of discrimination greatly undermines the key democratic values of equity and balanced administration. Equity is part and partial of democracy, and any responsible and equitable government looks out to always ensure an equitable society through social, socio-political, and economic policies.
Democracy goes hand in hand with equity; there is no democracy without equity. The continued salary inequality despises the democratic levels of Uganda as well as the ruling NRM government. Could the NRM party or even Parliament feel concerned about the increased salary inequality? I personally believe they should! This is a matter of great concern.
Equality, like fairness, is an important value in a society and a key instrument of any successful and democratic government. Irrespective of ideology, culture, religion, or profession, among others, democracy or democratic governments care about inequality.
Well, there should be serious concerns and calls for policy reforms so as to create a more equitable public service system. In June 1998, the International Labour Conference adopted the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its Follow-up. The Declaration obligates all member states of the International Labour Organisation to effective abolition and the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
We are all Ugandans who went to the same schools and institutions to study different professions. No single Ugandan committed a crime by studying law or history instead of chemistry or nursing. Discrimination based on professions should not be heard of in a democratic society where equity is at its core. This leaves a great question of concern: whether it is the end of a beginning or the beginning of the end of salary inequalities within the public service?
