Judicial Officers Decry Government U-Turn on Promised Salary Increase

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda at 2044 EAT on Thursday 21 August 2025

All is not well within the judiciary, as deputy registrars, assistant registrars, and chief magistrates accuse the government of backtracking on a previously agreed resolution to enhance their salaries.

The judicial officers have expressed frustration over what they describe as a breach of trust, warning that the reversal threatens morale and the independence of the judiciary.

On June 30, 2025, the Ministry of Public Service issued Circular Standing Instruction (CSI) No. 1 of 2025, outlining the approved salary structures for the 2025/2026 financial year. The circular allocates Shs 8.5 trillion for the national wage bill—an increase of Shs 724 billion from the previous financial year.

According to the breakdown for judicial officers under the Courts of Judicature, the monthly salary for deputy registrars was adjusted from Shs 12.5 million to Shs 12.75 million. Assistant registrars saw a more substantial increase, with their pay rising from Shs 10.5 million to match that of deputy registrars at Shs 12.75 million.

Despite the adjustments, judicial officers argue the increases fall short of earlier commitments and do not reflect the growing demands and responsibilities of their roles.

Chief magistrates have seen their monthly salaries increase from Shs 9.8 million to Shs 12.75 million, bringing them in line with assistant and deputy registrars. The judiciary has welcomed the move, saying it reflects President Yoweri Museveni’s ongoing commitment to improving the welfare of judicial officers.

The pay rise follows remarks made by the President earlier this year during the opening of the Annual Judges Conference, where he pledged to enhance the remuneration of judicial officers in tandem with that of scientists.

“On the issue of salaries, we are now in a position to do something for you, provided we break down this wastage,” Museveni said at the time. “The government’s target is that our scientists and judicial officers should receive salaries comparable to best practices in the region,” he added, drawing applause from the assembled judges and magistrates.

Despite the announced salary adjustments, judicial officers were left stunned when their July paychecks reflected no increase.

Enter Bigirimana

Frustrated by the apparent oversight, affected officers petitioned Judiciary Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana to intervene and address the issue. However, hopes were dashed on August 18, 2025, when Bigirimana issued a circular informing the officers that the Ministry of Public Service had made an error in approving the salary increments.

The revelation has sparked frustration and confusion within the judiciary, as officers question the reversal of what had been publicly presented as a government-backed commitment.

In a circular issued on August 18, Judiciary Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana revealed that the previously announced salary enhancements for certain judicial officers had been mistakenly included in the government’s wage structure.

“In a meeting of top management held on August 13, 2025, the salary enhancement for deputy registrars, assistant registrars, and chief magistrates was discussed,” the circular reads. “This followed the issuance of a circular by the Ministry of Public Service on June 30, 2025. The meeting was informed that the inclusion of judicial officers in the revised salary structure was made in error, as Cabinet had specifically approved salary increases only for chief administrative officers, undersecretaries, commissioners, city town clerks, and municipal town clerks.”

The admission has sparked outrage among affected judicial officers, who say the reversal undermines both their morale and the credibility of government commitments.

The Cabinet has neither discussed nor approved any salary enhancement for judicial officers, according to a recent clarification. This is because their salaries had already been adjusted under the framework of the Administration of the Judiciary Act.

The Ministry of Public Service quickly acknowledged the error and, on July 23, 2025, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry issued a letter clarifying the matter. “This circular is therefore issued to make the clarification as advised by the Ministry of Public Service and to confirm that the judiciary will maintain the salary structure as approved by Cabinet Minute Extract No. 177 (CT 2021),” the communication stated.

The announcement by Judiciary Permanent Secretary Pius Bigirimana has been met with consternation and disappointment within the judiciary.

Controversial Exclusion

A member of the Public Service Commission, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that judicial officers were excluded from the recent salary increases on the basis that, as independent entities, they do not qualify for the increment.

This explanation has sparked further debate about the status and treatment of judicial officers within the public service framework.

“Technically, they work under an independent body—the judiciary—which holds the mandate to approve their salary increases, not the Ministry of Public Service,” said a source familiar with the matter.

Under the public service classification, chief magistrates fall under the category of commissioners. According to the Public Service Circular Standing Instruction issued on June 30, 2025, all commissioners from independent institutions—including medical doctors, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, the Ministry of Justice, Uganda Police Force, and Uganda Prisons Services—received a salary increase to Shs 12.75 million.

A chief magistrate, who requested anonymity, dismissed the government’s justification as flawed. “This constitutes a variation of our salaries to our disadvantage, which is unconstitutional,” the officer said. “For the record, Regulation 31 of the Administration of the Judiciary (Judiciary Service) Regulations, 2025, clearly states that salary increments in the Judiciary Service shall be determined by Cabinet, taking into account prevailing economic circumstances.”

Frustration is mounting among judicial officers following the government’s reversal on promised salary increments. Some are now questioning the justification given for their exclusion—that they belong to an “independent body” and thus fall outside the scope of the recent pay raises.

“If we’re truly independent and that disqualifies us from salary enhancements, then why are we still listed in the Public Service Circular Standing Instruction?” one officer asked. “If our independence is being used to deny us benefits, maybe we’d be better off under the Public Service.”

The standoff has left many within the judiciary disillusioned, and insiders warn that affected officers are weighing the option of industrial action if the issue remains unresolved.

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