Exclusive: Why Government workers in local governments may spend three months without the monthly pay

Uganda government workers are likely to spend three months without pay as a ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development are upgrading the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) Web-based payment system. #WhisperEyeNews

Reliable sources intimated to the Ministry of Finance, told Whisper Eye News that the ministry is upgrading the IFMS system and only 15 districts have successfully uploaded their budgets for the current financial year.

The source from the ministry further informed Whisper Eye News that the ministry has already written to relevant authorities to understand the situation including instructing Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in all districts to notify all workers, banks, and concerned people.

“This is to formally bring to your attention that due to the ongoing Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) upgrade nationally by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development which has delayed calculation and upload of payrolls, timely payment of salary and pension for this month of July 2022 will be affected,” the letter reads in parts.

“The purpose of this communication, therefore, is to urge you to prepare accordingly and also request you to relay this information to all concerned including your banks,” the letter reads further.

In an exclusive interview with some of the government workers in the Northern region, they informed our upcountry reporter that they are worried since all prices of essential commodities are increasing day and night.

“We are worried about our monthly salary. We don’t know the truth and yet we have loans in banks and even from individuals,” he said.

The Ministry of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development is doing everything possible to overcome the challenge but it is not clear how long it will take.