Since July 2008, the Capacity Project has supported the Uganda Ministry of Health and Ministry of Public Service to conduct 12 payroll management workshops for 293 managers from district local governments, municipalities and regional referral hospitals.

Teams comprised chief administrative officers, personnel officers, district health officers and officers in charge of salaries. The aim is to improve retention and motivation of health workers through timely access to payroll following hiring. Analysis of payroll submissions after the trainings shows progressive elimination of “ghost workers” and marked reduction in time taken to access payroll. For example, in Dokolo district only half of recruited staff accessed payroll after four months in service; following the training, 85% accessed payroll within one month of starting their jobs, and 100% by the second month.

Districts are supporting personnel officers with transport, allowances and communication to handle payroll issues. There is also improved communication between the districts and the Ministry of Public Service and Ministry of Finance.

June 2009