Uganda public service salary scales 2026/27: U1 to U8 explained

Where the figures come from

The Uganda Public Service Standing Orders say the salary structure for the public service shows the salary attached to each scale and is issued by the Responsible Permanent Secretary through circulars. For 2026/27 it is Circular Standing Instruction No. 6 of 2026, dated 30 June 2026, which came into effect on 1 July 2026.

The circular has separate schedules, including the general public service, primary teachers, secondary teachers, BTVET and teacher training institutions, the police and prisons, medical workers, judicial and legal officers and public universities. Some institutions use their own scale codes: the Judicial Service Commission's 2026 adverts list Judiciary scales such as JSS1-SE. Always use the schedule that matches the post.

How to read a scale

• In the general schedule, U1 posts are at the top and U8 posts at the bottom. Assistant Commissioners are on U1E, Principal Officers on U2, Senior Officers on U3, graduates on U4 and support staff on U8.
• Several scales are split into Upper and Lower. For example, U4 (Upper) is listed for the Graduate (Professional Cadre) and U4 (Lower) for the Graduate (Administrative Cadre).
• SC marks scales for scientists other than medical personnel, which have their own figures.
• Each scale lists several salary points. The Standing Orders say the entry point on first appointment is the minimum of the scale unless the Responsible Permanent Secretary states otherwise.

Entry points by qualification

The Standing Orders set these entry points into the public service. Unless stated otherwise, O Level and A Level certificates are also required.

• Honours degree: U4.
• Higher Diploma or equivalent: U5.
• Ordinary diploma or equivalent: U6.
• Professional certificate or equivalent: U7.
• Support staff with the Uganda Certificate of Education: U8.

Selected monthly salaries for 2026/27

These monthly figures come from Schedule 2 of the circular, the general salary structure, and are before tax and other deductions. Ranges run from the lowest to the highest point on the scale.

• U8 (Lower), support staff with UCE: UGX 187,660 to 213,832.
• U8 (Upper), support staff with UCE and additional requirements: UGX 209,859 to 237,069.
• U7 (Lower), entry level for analogous cadres without additional training: UGX 268,143 to 289,361.
• U7 (Upper), entry level for analogous cadre: UGX 316,393 to 377,781.
• U6 (Lower), promotional level for analogous staff: UGX 386,972 to 424,253.
• U6 (Upper), promotional level for analogous staff: UGX 416,617 to 436,677.
• U5 (Lower), promotional level for analogous staff: UGX 447,080 to 479,759.
• U5 (Upper), non graduate technical cadre: UGX 472,079 to 598,822.
• U4 (Lower), graduate administrative cadre: UGX 601,341 to 798,535.
• U4 (Upper), graduate professional cadre: UGX 798,667 to 940,366.
• U3 (Lower), senior officer administrative cadre: UGX 902,612 to 990,589.
• U3 (Upper), senior officer professional cadre: UGX 979,805 to 1,131,209.
• U2, principal officer, professional and administrative cadres: UGX 4,500,000.
• U1E, assistant commissioner, professional and administrative cadres: UGX 6,500,000.

Scientists other than medical personnel are paid on separate SC scales: UGX 2,200,000 at U5 (SC), UGX 4,000,000 for a graduate scientist at U4 (SC), UGX 4,250,000 for a senior officer scientist at U3 (SC) and UGX 4,500,000 for a principal officer scientist at U2 (SC).

The circular raised pay for several groups in 2026/27. Principal Officers on U2 and Assistant Commissioners on U1E moved to UGX 4,500,000 and UGX 6,500,000 a month, from figures of between about UGX 1.2 million and UGX 1.7 million in 2025/26.

Primary teachers

Schedule 3 covers primary school teachers. The monthly figures for 2026/27 are:

• Head Teacher Primary (U4): UGX 1,537,976.
• Deputy Head Teacher Primary (U5): UGX 1,357,964.
• Senior Education Assistant (U6): UGX 727,080.
• Education Assistant, Grade III teacher (U7 Upper): UGX 700,000.
• Teachers on trial terms (U7 Lower): UGX 261,326.

The Education Service Commission's 2026 advert for KCCA primary schools listed Education Assistant posts for new entrants at scale U7. Secondary teachers, tutors and instructors, health workers and other cadres have their own schedules, so check the one for your post.

From gross salary to take home pay

PAYE is worked out on public salaries with the same URA bands as for other employees. Using the rates for residents:

Education Assistant on UGX 700,000 a month:
PAYE: 33,750 + 30% of (700,000 minus 485,000) = UGX 98,250

Support staff on UGX 213,832 a month:
Below UGX 335,000, so PAYE is nil

Other deductions can include Local Service Tax in the first months of the financial year and pension contributions. NSSF says its mandatory cover excludes employees under the government pension scheme, so ask the HR office of the recruiting body which deductions apply to your terms of service. The Standing Orders say salary is paid from the date you assume duty.

Apply through the right channel

The salary scale tells you the pay; the advert tells you how to apply. Read the advert from the recruiting commission or institution, note the deadline and the documents required, and apply only through the official route. Our guide to government jobs explains which commission recruits for which posts. Never pay anyone who promises you a government job.

• How to apply for government jobs in Uganda

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