Forum for Democratic Change [FDC] presidential flag bearer, Dr Kizza Besigye has insisted he will increase teachers’ pay if elected president.
When he first announced that he will increase pay for both primary and secondary school teachers, Besigye came under heavy criticism with critics questioning where he would get the money from.
But speaking at a rally in Pader on Sunday, Besigye defended his position repeating that under his government, primary school teachers will earn Shs650, 000 while their counterparts in secondary schools will earn Shs1,000,000.
The FDC candidate said his government will scrap offices of Resident District Commissioners (RDCS) to raise money meant to pay teachers.
“Once the FDC takes over power; all offices of the Resident District Commissioners will remain vacant. This way money directed to the offices of the RDC’s will be channeled towards paying teachers,” Besigye said.
Besigye did not give specifics on how much would be raised from scrapping offices like that of the RDC vis–à–vis how much will be needed to pay the teachers.
Aswa County Member of Parliament, Regan Okumu who accompanied Besigye defended his party president describing the office of RDC’s as wastage of resources since the duties allocated to them can be done by district internal security officers and the LC 5 Chairman in each district.
At the rally atleast 36 people who claimed to be teachers handed in their NRM cards and defected to FDC. Some of who spoke to Acholi Times on condition of anonymity said they were moved by the promises made by Besigye.
