Uganda Civil Servants Salary Increase 2026/27: Government Announces 50% Pay Rise for 230,000 Workers
- Afri Careers
- Sep 25
- 2 min read
The Government of Uganda has finally unveiled a landmark plan to enhance pay for public sector employees. Under the 2026/27 national budget, the state will roll out a civil servants salary increase of no less than 50%, benefitting over 230,000 workers in both central and local government institutions.
This marks the first significant salary review since 2014 and is aimed at addressing long-standing wage disparities, retention challenges, and inflation pressures that have undermined public service delivery.
According to the Ministry of Public Service, the salary increase will cover a wide range of professionals:
Teachers of both arts and sciences
Lecturers and tutors in tertiary institutions
Health workers and scientists
Members of the judiciary
Secondary school teachers
Importantly, the remaining 60% of public servants—primary school teachers, drivers, office assistants, and other lower-level staff—who were previously left out of past increments will also be included in this phase of the Uganda Civil Servants Salary Increase 2026/27.
Officials confirmed that the review will harmonise salaries across professional categories, eliminating distortions that date back to 2012 when scientists received a 30% pay rise while other cadres stagnated.
Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa announced that government has allocated an additional Shs200 billion annually to cover the pay rise. This will push the total national wage bill to approximately Shs3.6 trillion.
The implementation of the Uganda Civil Servants Salary Increase 2026/27 will be gradual, spanning three financial years up to 2028/29. Cabinet approved a new “pay policy” in May to guide the process.
To safeguard the real value of salaries, the government also plans to set up a Salary Review Commission. This body will periodically assess and adjust wages in line with inflation and economic realities, ensuring public servants don’t lose out over time.
Another major highlight is the equalization of pay across similar professions in different ministries. For instance, scientists in health have historically earned more than scientists in agriculture or education—something the new policy intends to correct.
Alongside the salary rise, government is introducing reforms under the Public Service Pension Fund Act of 2004.
The new contributory pension scheme requires both employees and government to make contributions, equivalent to a quarter of the retiree’s last salary. Benefits will include:
A retirement lump sum
Monthly pension annuity
Medical care coverage
This shift aims to reduce dependence on the current “pay-as-you-go” system, which has burdened government finances and caused billions in pension arrears.
Trade unions have cautiously welcomed the announcement but remain skeptical due to past unfulfilled promises.
Christopher Kahirita, General Secretary of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU), said:
“Since 2012, government has pledged several salary increments that never materialised. We hope this time the Uganda Civil Servants Salary Increase 2026/27 will be delivered as promised.”
He further urged government to expedite the establishment of the Salary Review Commission, stressing that regular adjustments would safeguard workers’ purchasing power and prevent future wage disputes.
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