The Uganda teachers strike has entered a critical stage as unions reject the government’s ultimatum to end their industrial action. Teachers insist they will not return to classrooms until their long-standing demand for salary enhancement is addressed.
Unatu General Secretary Filbert Baguma declared that no threats would force teachers back to work without real answers. He accused the government of abandoning its promises for three years and ignoring teachers’ concerns. Baguma said officials know where teachers stand but have chosen intimidation over dialogue.
The conflict grew after the Minister of Public Service, Muruli Mukasa, ordered teachers to resume work within a week or risk dismissal. He declared the strike illegal and warned participants they would be treated as having abandoned their jobs. Labour leaders dismissed this directive, calling it intimidation and a violation of workers’ rights.
Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union Secretary General Hassan Mudiba argued that dialogue, not threats, is the solution. He said workers want equal treatment, respect, and fairness. Mudiba stressed that unions will continue the strike until the government shows goodwill and addresses pay disparities. He added that corruption consumes vast resources while workers struggle with stagnant salaries, making frustration inevitable.
Union leaders reminded authorities that strikes are lawful when grievances remain unresolved. They denied abandoning their duties, saying they are simply demanding fairness and reminding the government of broken promises. Teachers, they stressed, seek solutions, not ultimatums.
Minister Mukasa defended the government’s record, noting that Shs2.5 trillion has gone into salary enhancements since 2018. He said over 125,000 public servants benefited, but admitted nearly two-thirds of workers have not seen any increase since 2014. He promised that humanities teachers will receive phased raises beginning in the 2026/2027 financial year, subject to approval and also accused Unatu of breaking procedure by striking without exhausting official negotiating channels.
Despite the threats, teachers remain firm. Secondary schools have entered a third week without classes, leaving millions of learners idle. The standoff has created deep anxiety ahead of national exams, with more than 431,000 Senior Four candidates preparing for the UCE. Parents and communities now face uncertainty as learning remains disrupted.
The salary gap between arts and science teachers lies at the heart of the dispute. In 2022, the government raised science teachers’ salaries by up to 300 percent. Graduate science teachers saw pay rise from Shs1.1 million to Shs4 million, while Grade V science teachers jumped from Shs796,000 to Shs2.5 million. By contrast, a graduate arts teacher still earns just over Shs1 million gross, taking home less than Shs850,000. This sharp difference continues to fuel anger and deepen divisions in the education sector.
The Uganda teachers strike now represents more than a salary dispute. It highlights frustration over broken promises, rising inequality, and government inaction. With national exams around the corner, the outcome of this standoff will shape not only teachers’ futures but also the learning opportunities of thousands of students.
