Secondary school teachers in Kitgum suspend service over payment
28 February 2023, 2:09 pm
By Otim Moses
A section of teachers from YY Okot Memorial College, Kitgum Technical Institute and Kitgum Core Primary Teachers’ College in Kitgum municipality on Monday afternoon stormed the office of the Kitgum municipal town clerk demanding for the payment of their salaries. The teachers have gone without pay for five months.
The teachers also presented a letter expressing displeasure in the manner in which the town clerk has been executing his duties.
Besides demanding for the payment of their salary arrears from October 2022 to February 2023, the teachers have also complained of late payment of salaries beyond 28th of each month as directed by the Ministry of Public Service, no feedback on the validation exercise carried out by Kitgum municipality, among others.
Mr Ocan Jolly Joe, the director of studies at Y.Y Okot Memorial College accuses the office of the town clerk of being segregative while making payments. He says it’s better for him to start operating as a boda-boda driver than go to class without being paid for five months.
Mr David Akemkwene, a science teacher at Y.Y Okot Memorial College criticised some senior officials for overspending time in workshops and other activities outside their offices which is interfering with performance.
Mr Michael Kilama, the municipal Principle Community Development Officer said they have already submitted the list of the teachers who missed their salaries to the Ministry of Finance and that of local government and only waiting for their response.
Mr Amone John Francis, the chairperson UNATU Kitgum municipality said they will make more follow-ups over the missing salary of some teachers but appealed to the teachers to resume classes as they wait for feedback.