KABALE: A group of pensioners in the Kigezi sub-region has raised concerns, urging the government to address irregular pension payments and its failure to fulfill its obligation of adjusting their payments in tandem with increments for civil servants.
Bertha Babunkiza, a retired Grade II teacher from Kabale district with 25 years of service before retiring in 1989, expressed her struggle with inconsistent pension payments. While she received gratuity benefits after retirement, her pension payments have posed continuous challenges.
Babunkiza wonders why the government has not provided her with the full pension payment, as stipulated by the law, especially since she has exceeded 15 years in retirement. She appeals to the government to consider their plight, emphasizing the dedicated service they rendered during their active years.
CUE IN BABUNKIZA…ON PENSION INCREMENT….RR/ENG//
Dr. Patrick Kabwiga, the chairperson for Rubanda District pensioners, expressed his distress at witnessing individuals who faithfully served the country facing difficulties in their retirement.
CUE IN KABWIGA….ON THE MATTER…..RR/ENG//
Silver Baguma, chairperson for Kigezi pensioners, highlighted their efforts in approaching various authorities to address their concerns, but they have not received adequate assistance.
CUE IN BAGUMA….ON CONCERNS…..RR/ENG//
Joram Tibasiimwa, the Member of Parliament representing older persons in Western Uganda, shared that they have been actively pursuing pensioners’ issues. However, the Ministry of Finance often cites insufficient funds as a reason for not fully addressing their concerns.
CUE IN TIBASIIMWA…..ON THE ISSUE…..ENG//
Uganda’s Pensions Act, Chapter 286, governs the granting and regulation of pensions, gratuities, and allowances for public service officers. Applicable to various sectors, including civil servants, teachers, police officers, prison officers, and others, the act outlines conditions for pension eligibility.
According to the act, officers who have served the government for ten years or more may be granted a pension at retirement. The pension is calculated as an annual rate of one five-hundredth of the officer’s pensionable emoluments. The latest version of the act, as of June 28, 2018, was amended by the Pensions Act (Amendment of First Schedule) Instrument, 2018.
