Cleaners at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital protest six-month salary delay
“It’s their right to demand what they are owed. No one will be punished for standing up for their pay,” he concluded.
Hoima: Cleaners at Hoima Regional Referral Hospital have taken to the media to protest the non-payment of their salaries for the past six months, citing worsening financial hardship and poor working conditions.
Speaking to UG Reports on Tuesday, Mildred Kyomuhendo, a cleaner employed by Aliko Consults Ltd, said they have resorted to seeking media attention after exhausting all other avenues in pursuit of their pay.
“We haven’t been paid for six months. Despite repeated promises, nothing has come through. Our children are at home because we can’t afford school fees, we lack food, and we are behind on rent,” Kyomuhendo said.
Moureen Tumusiime, another cleaner at the hospital, said the situation has worsened as several colleagues have quit due to the unpaid wages, leaving the remaining few with overwhelming workloads.
“We’ve had several meetings with our bosses, but nothing has changed. I appeal to Prime Minister Robina Nabanja, Minister Balam Barugahara, and the Ministry of Health to visit the hospital and see the conditions we are working in. We need their intervention so we can finally be paid,” Tumusiime pleaded.
Geoffrey Mugume, Director of Aliko Consults Ltd, confirmed the salary delays and revealed that the company has begun initiating payments to settle outstanding arrears for the hospital cleaners.
“Yes, the cleaners are owed salaries. We have started the payment process,” Mugume said, noting that Aliko Consults Ltd itself is awaiting payment from the hospital, which contracted them to provide cleaning services.
He explained that the delay stemmed from the hospital’s lack of a procurement officer, which hindered the hospital from processing payments to Aliko Consults.
“Now that a new procurement officer is in place, we expect the hospital to release our payment soon. Once that is done, all cleaners will receive their full salaries,” Mugume assured.
He emphasized that no cleaner will face any penalties for speaking out. “It’s their right to demand what they are owed. No one will be punished for standing up for their pay,” he concluded.
The cleaners continue to call on top government officials and relevant ministries to intervene and ensure justice and timely payment of their dues.
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