Ntungamo to Clear Shs4bn Gratuity Backlog By June 30

Over 145 individuals in Ntungamo District are set to receive long-overdue gratuity and pension payments following the government's release of Shs4 billion in supplementary funding. This intervention comes after a district-wide verification and clean-up exercise revealed significant issues, including alleged bribery, missing claimant files, and payroll irregularities that had prevented beneficiaries from receiving their due payments for up to three financial years.

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My husband Twesigye Moses passed on. He worked as a quota master at Rwamanyonyi Secondary School in Ntungamo District. I have suffered for three years, moving back and forth since Jennifer's time. I am now hopeful because the CAO has assured me that before June ends I will be helped.

Many claimants have reported enduring repeated delays, rejections, and alleged demands for bribes to process their files. Widows of deceased public servants, in particular, have spoken of years spent making numerous trips to district offices to secure payments necessary for their families' support. Patience Busigye, a widow whose husband worked as a quota master, expressed hope after being assured by the Chief Administrative Officer that assistance would be provided before the end of June.

Ntungamo Chief Administrative Officer Fedelis Kiiza stated that investigations into allegations of fraud and administrative sabotage within the payment system are ongoing. He explained that some claimant files were allegedly hidden or discarded, necessitating a comprehensive verification exercise. Kiiza confirmed that a list of over 145 claimants was compiled, and after document review and auditing, a liability of Shs4.4 billion was established. The Ministry of Finance subsequently released funds to settle these arrears.

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When we went into the process of establishing claimants, we found some files had been hidden or thrown away in officers' offices. We brought them together and compiled a list of over 145 people who had been claiming without hope of being paid. Their documents were reviewed, audited and a total of Shs4.4 billion was established as the liability required to clear gratuity arrears. That is the list the Ministry of Finance considered, and they released money to pay all these claimants.

Senior Human Resource Officer Justin Nuwashaba attributed past delays primarily to inadequate budgeting over the last two to three financial years. He assured that efforts are underway to ensure proper budgeting for pensioners and gratuity in future financial years. Nuwashaba confirmed that with the supplementary budget, all verified beneficiaries will be paid by June 30, 2026. Reforms aimed at strengthening payroll and financial management systems are also being implemented to eliminate irregularities and ensure timely payments, addressing past malpractices such as alleged bribery.

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We are working hard to ensure we budget properly for pensioners and gratuity in every financial year. For the past two financial years we have had insufficient funds, but we are glad government has provided a supplementary budget of about Shs4 billion. I can confirm that by 30 June 2026, every verified beneficiary will be paid.