Enough Is Enough: UNATU Announces Arts Teachers’ Strike Over Salary Disparities

By Frank Kamuntu

Teachers in Uganda, through the Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu), have resolved to lay down their tools over persistent salary disparities, just three days before the start of the third school term.

Speaking at a meeting held at Unatu headquarters in Kampala yesterday, the union’s general secretary, Filbert Baguma, announced that all Unatu members from primary, post-primary, and tertiary institutions will not report for duty when schools officially reopen on Monday, September 15.

“The decision follows government’s continued silence on Unatu’s demand for salary enhancement for Arts teachers, who were left out during the 2022 salary increments given to Science teachers,” Baguma said.

Unfulfilled Promises

The last major strike by UNATU ended in 2022 after a tense meeting with President Yoweri Museveni. At the time, the President told union leaders that salary increases were not possible because the government had prioritized science teachers. The strike was suspended to allow negotiations, but three years later, no agreement has been reached.

“Teachers have waited patiently, but government has remained indifferent. Industrial action remains the only option left,” Baguma said, emphasizing that the strike is protected under Ugandan law and international labor standards. He also warned against intimidation or harassment of teachers.

Arts teachers, who form a significant part of the teaching workforce, earn substantially less than their science counterparts. Graduate science teachers earn a gross monthly salary of UGX 4 million (net UGX 2.8 million), while graduate arts teachers take home between UGX 672,000 and UGX 754,600. Diploma-level science teachers earn about UGX 1.54 million net, compared to arts teachers earning between UGX 521,500 and UGX 548,800.

Repeated Appeals Ignored

Baguma highlighted that repeated engagements with government, including formal communications to the offices of the President, the Head of Public Service, and the Ministries of Public Service and Education, have yielded no results. Appeals to the Equal Opportunities Commission have also been unsuccessful.

“Fellow teachers, this is a moment of truth. We must ask ourselves, how much longer will we wait? If you are unhappy, let the empty classrooms speak for us,” he told union members.

Government Response

The Ministry of Education and Sports has urged teachers to abandon the planned strike, stating that their concerns are already being considered. Dennis Mugimba, the ministry’s spokesperson, reminded teachers that President Museveni had pledged salary enhancements and encouraged patience while the directives are implemented.

Previously, President Museveni had promised that salary increments for arts teachers would be phased over four years starting in the 2026/27 financial year, alongside a reduction in Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax from 30 percent to 10 percent. Additional funds were also pledged for teacher housing and SACCO contributions.

Civil Society Backs Teachers

Human rights activist Angella Kasule of the Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) supported the strike, arguing that teachers are entitled to fair pay. “The government must honor its commitments. Teachers are human beings, and they have rights,” she said.

Yusuf Miziransa, spokesperson for the Equal Opportunities Commission, also called on government to fast-track salary adjustments but urged teachers to remain patient, noting that strikes negatively affect learners, parents, and the broader education system.

As the strike looms just days before the official reopening of schools, education stakeholders brace for disruptions in classrooms across the country.