President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning along with that of Public Service to implement enhanced monthly payment of Shs15 million to lecturers that teach science subjects in public universities.
“Paying Shs15m to university Professors is considered one of the core issues of government’s proactive management of university lecturers to boost science and technology development. My approach is to make university science subjects lecturers stable to teach and produce more good quality products for the country. They are not many. Let’s finish this commitment with them once and for all,” the President told the leadership of the Forum of Academic Staff of Public Universities (FASPU) at State House, Entebbe on Saturday.
Also in attendance were Education minister Janet Museveni, State Minister for Planning David Bahati, State for Public Service David Karubanga and Public Service Permanent Secretary, Catherine Musingwiire.
President Museveni informed the meeting that Africa was colonized because it lacked knowledge of science and technology. While colonialists were applying scientific gunpowder to conquer Africans, he added, the Africans were still using spears, bows and arrows because they lagged behind in technology.
“Concentrating on giving attention to scientists in terms of remuneration, enhances science and technology development in the country,” he observed.
Musingwiire informed the meeting that her Ministry has earmarked Shs.179 billion to pay all lecturers. The amount, she added, also covers science teachers and researchers. She advised non-academic staff to be patient.
The Forum Chairperson, Rev. Dr. Grace Lubaale, thanked President Museveni for striving to support universities’ academic staff.
“The financial support will also help to carry out research by scientists,” he added.
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