President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has issued a warning to government employees, particularly scientists, who are considering early retirement. He clarified that those who choose to leave public service before reaching the official retirement age will forfeit their rights to pension and allowances provided by the government.
Yoweri Museveni emphasized that the recent salary increments for scientists were intended to motivate them to serve the nation, not to encourage premature retirement. He highlighted that the government’s support through these increased wages is aimed at enhancing public service, and therefore, early retirees will not receive financial benefits from the state.
These remarks come amid ongoing shifts within government agencies, notably the Uganda Coffee Development Authority (UCDA), as a result of agency mergers and dissolution aimed at streamlining government operations.
According to Uganda’s Civil Service Act, public employees are to retire at the age of 60. However, it has become common for some individuals approaching this age to alter their documents to reflect a younger age, in hopes of extending their careers.
President Museveni noted a trend where some government scientists are aiming to retire early, anticipating an immediate payout of pensions and allowances.
He cautioned that government pensions are reserved for employees who complete their full tenure, highlighting a difference between contract workers, who receive National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions, and career civil servants, who receive pensions from the government at the completion of their service at age 60.
In discussing the merging and closing of various agencies, Museveni referred to these bodies as burdensome, pointing to significant costs associated with them, such as salaries, board meetings, and staff allowances.
He advocated that the government should redirect these funds to support other national priorities. According to the president, the country currently spends UGX 2.2 trillion annually on agency-related expenses, while running the ministries requires UGX 2.6 trillion.
Museveni proposed that funds formerly allocated to these agencies be redirected to ministries, where responsibilities formerly handled by the agencies would be reassigned.
The president’s statement marks his third public address in as many days, coming shortly after parliament moved to revive the rice bill, and it underscores his determination to streamline government operations for greater efficiency.
This approach, Museveni suggests, will bring essential services back under the control of core ministries, strengthening the government’s ability to meet its obligations and achieve national goals.
