By Our Reporter
A storm of unrest is shaking Uganda’s education sector to its core as more than 10,000 arts and humanities teachers down their tools in protest, accusing the government of betrayal and discrimination.
The nationwide strike, which erupted in early June, has paralyzed secondary schools across the country, leaving classrooms deserted and thousands of students stranded mid-term. The affected teachers—who teach subjects such as history, literature, and religious education—say they’ve been abandoned in favor of their science counterparts, whose salaries were controversially doubled in 2022.
“This is no longer just about salaries. It’s about dignity,” said James Okello, a senior literature teacher from Eastern Uganda, speaking during a heated meeting at Soroti Secondary School on June 1. “We are not second-class citizens. We build the minds of this nation just as much as anyone else.”
The teachers argue that despite repeated assurances and drawn-out negotiations, the government has failed to honor its promise of equitable salary enhancements. Many say they feel deliberately sidelined by a remuneration system that places science over the arts—a move critics have called a form of academic apartheid.
“We were patient, but patience has limits,” said Sarah Nambasa, a history teacher with over 15 years of service. “We have families to feed too.”
The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has officially endorsed the strike, urging the government to act swiftly and engage in genuine dialogue.
“This discrimination is not only demoralizing but dangerous for the future of education in Uganda,” warned UNATU General Secretary Filbert Baguma. “You can’t build a balanced education system by tearing one part of it down.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education has called for calm, insisting that discussions are ongoing. However, many teachers say they are tired of hollow promises and want action—not rhetoric.
The fallout is already being felt. With national exams on the horizon, the strike threatens to derail the academic calendar and deepen an already growing rift between educators and policymakers.
Unless immediate steps are taken to resolve the impasse, Uganda could be heading toward an unprecedented educational collapse, one that may take years to fully recover from.