The Uganda humanities teachers strike has begun, with more than 10,000 secondary school educators and college lecturers walking off the job to protest unequal salary treatment compared to their science-teaching colleagues.
Why the Uganda Humanities Teachers Strike Began
The Uganda humanities teachers strike erupted because the government failed to fulfill its promise to improve the pay of humanities educators. According to the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU), these unkept promises have created a growing sense of injustice.
Teopista Akello, the UPHTU National Chairperson, voiced the teachers’ frustration: “We want all teachers with similar qualifications to have equal salary scales, regardless of subject area.”
Currently, the government pays science teachers in Uganda more than their arts and humanities colleagues, even when both groups possess similar qualifications and experience. These disparities have caused tension in schools.
Who the Strike Affects
This strike affects:
- All government secondary schools in Uganda
- 23 Primary Teachers’ Colleges
- Five National Teachers’ Colleges
- Uganda Colleges of Commerce
The teachers began their industrial action immediately after the Eid al-Adha and Heroes Day holidays, disrupting humanities instruction across the public education system.
Teachers Demand Salary Equity
Teachers insist on salary equity, not superiority. Akello emphasized, “We have teachers in one staffroom with similar qualifications but different salaries. These disparities are unhealthy and must stop.”
Godfrey Osenda, Chairperson of the Uganda Professional Humanities Sacco, said more than 10,000 out of 17,000 government-employed arts teachers have joined the strike.
“The 90-day deadline we gave the government to address our salary issues expired last Friday,” Osenda stated.
He explained that meetings in Busia, Tororo, Mbale, and Butaleja helped teachers overcome their initial hesitation about joining the strike.
What Teachers Are Saying
Many educators feel ignored. Patrick Ochodomuge, who teaches at a government school, said the government promised a raise in 2022 but never delivered.
“Arts teachers have held discussions with the government since 2022, but despite all the promises, no action has followed,” he noted.
Another teacher, Mande Yowa, questioned the government’s values:
“We shop at the same markets as our science colleagues. Are we not public servants too?”
These statements reflect the emotional toll of the Uganda humanities teachers strike, as teachers feel undervalued and marginalized.
Government’s Silence Fuels Frustration
As of publication, the Ministry of Education and Sports had not responded to the strike, further deepening teacher dissatisfaction.
While officials often cite economic constraints, Osenda pushed back, arguing:
“The economy has grown to Shs226 trillion annually. The government has the fiscal room to meet our demands.”
What Lies Ahead for the Strike?
The UPHTU confirmed that the strike will continue until the government meets their demands. While union leaders remain open to dialogue, they insist on seeing progress before returning to classrooms.
“We won’t back down until pay hike demands are met,” Akello reaffirmed.
Impacts on Uganda’s Education System
This widespread strike threatens to disrupt academic progress, particularly in humanities subjects such as history, literature, and languages.
In the long term, unresolved salary inequality could damage morale and productivity across the education sector, impacting both arts and science teachers alike.
Conclusion
The Uganda humanities teachers strike highlights a deeper need for fairness and recognition across the education sector. With over 10,000 teachers already out of classrooms, the pressure now shifts to the government to respond meaningfully.
How the government handles this issue may define its commitment to equity, unity, and progress in Uganda’s public education system.
Read: Covid-19 has proved that we matter, teachers say
