Some public sector workers due for retirement are determined to continue their careers by changing their legal age. But young Ugandans fear this will further worsen their own chances for employment.
Some Ugandan public sector workers nearing retirement are trying to stay on the government payroll — by seeking to change their legal age to remain employed.
Currently, Ugandan public service laws require all workers to retire at the age of 60. But an increasing number of employees — especially those with links to politicians — are doing all they can to stay in the office.
"It has become a trend now," an anonymous source at the Ministry of Public Service (MoPS) told local news outlet New Vision. "A number of public servants do not want to retire. When they see that they are approaching 60, they come up with explanations, claiming to be younger."
The MoPS has announced that close to 1,000 senior public servants have applied to change their age filed at the time of recruitment. Some have already had their requests denied and are seeking other legal avenues.
One group none too impressed with this development is young Ugandans, many of whom have recently graduated and are struggling to gain a foothold in the jobs market.
Uganda's youth unemployment rate is already worryingly high, considering they make up over 70% of the country's population of 45 million.
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