A couple of Bunyoro’s Certified Public Accountants (CPA) under the Bunyoro Regional Members Network have expressed concerns over salary discrepancies within the public sector which they say causes a lack of coordination among servants.
Speaking during their recent regional meeting in Hoima City on Saturday, the CPAs revealed that the government has totally overlooked their efforts towards service deliveries by favouring a section of individuals with higher salaries.
Annet Nanzala, the head of finance at Masindi Municipal Council noted with wonder that there is a salary imbalance among different individuals including those within the same profession.
According to her, sometimes you find that newly recruited staff are earning around shs4.2 m more than the principal, who has been in the system for years, and has been earning around shs1m inclusive of tax.
Nanzala says that there is a need for the government to ensure their salary increment as CPAs since they invest more money in the profession including training cost, Shs500k as annual subscription fee to the association.
“This kind of imbalance is causing a lack of coordination among the public servants. We should be considered as Arts teachers, we also do science subjects including Mathematics,” she said.
Elly Asaba, a CPA from the National Water Luwero there is a need for the umbrella to ensure that there is extension of training and examination centres for the CPA members in the region to avoid huge expenses to Kampala for education
Glades Bigabwa, chief finance officer of Kakumiro district, called for the need for the network to engage the government to increase their pay for better equities.
“The difference within our salary scales is really alarming. The government has to do something in recognition of our efforts as accountants,” she urged.
Robert Muhumuza from Masindi district called for the need for the association to help the youth gain skills of serving in public offices.
Godfrey Nuwamanya the Chairperson of the Buyoro Network for Certified Public Accountants (CPA) wants the Central Government to increase their salaries so that they will be able to match the Scientists.
Rogers Byamukama the Masindi Municipality MP-elect says accountants in Bunyoro should position themselves for the opportunities in the oil and gas industry and the growing sugar industry in order to get jobs.
Meanwhile, the Bunyoro Kitara Kingdom Prime Minister (PM) Andrew Byakutaga cautioned the CPAs against indulging themselves in corruption tendencies and financial misappropriation, the tendencies he says do not align with professional ethics.
“As professional accountants, you should make sure that the public funds under your control are put to proper use instead of diverting them for personal gain,” he urged.
Byakutaga emphasised the need for accountants to always give proper financial advice to those in businesses for business expansions.
However, the meeting was centred on bringing together the members of the Network, sharing challenges facing members for solutions, among others.
