- It is a mockery that a prosecutor at whatever rank is given 460,000 shillings as lunch allowance for a whole month.
Prosecutors have petitioned Parliament decrying the deplorable living conditions, due to poor pay and their poor standards of living which they say is demeaning their status.
The prosecutors under Uganda Association of Prosecutors (UAP) led by Batson Baguma, a Chief State Attorney and also President of the Association made the plea while presenting a petition to the Speaker Jacob Oulanyah seeking parliament intervention.
Baguma told the Speaker that Prosecutors cannot afford the basic necessities of life which exposes them to perilous temptations, embarrassment and lack of respect in society.
He noted that many of their colleagues sleep in slums and eat in funny places which expose them to danger from the same criminals they prosecute.
It is mockery that a prosecutor at whatever rank is given 460,000 shillings as lunch allowance for a whole month.'Batson Baguma, President UAP
They also lamented about the failure by President Museveni to meet with them or visit them and interact with people who lock up criminals who seek to destabilize his Government.
The prosecutors also complained about failure to receive promotions,arguing that most of the prosecutors have served in the same position without being promoted despite the existence of very many unfilled positions in the structure
According to Baguma, the Office of Director of Public Prosecution has 587 vacant positions at various ranks including; 179 principal state attorney, senior state attorney 162, Chief State Attorney 60,principal state prosecutor 74, senior state prosecutor 48 among others.
The prosecutors are now seeking for salary enhancement in the proposed new salary structures, and also want Director of public prosecution to be paid 37,184,000, shillings while his Deputy should earn 34,384,00 shillings and Principal Assistant Director of public prosecution gets 31,158,400. Shillings.
They also want Senior Assistant DPP,Assistant DPP and Chief State Attorney to be paid at least UGX 28,358,400, UGX 25,558,400 and UGX 22,258,400 respectively.
They also want government to waive tax on their salaries and other emoluments in accordance with the terms of the commitment.
Speaker Jacob Oulanyah has informed the prosecutors that their petition would be forwarded to the Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee to look into their concerns before parliament takes a final decision.