The UNEB Arts Teachers Strike has intensified nationwide, with humanities teachers refusing to submit students’ coursework or supervise continuous assessment projects this term. The Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers’ Union (UPHTU) issued a letter on June 18 warning the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) of this action. The strike, which began on June 6, shows no signs of ending soon.
UPHTU President Akello Teopista and General Secretary Francis Mutesasira stated clearly that their members will not submit Continuous Assessment marks or supervise projects while the strike continues. They blame the government’s silence on their salary enhancement demands, which have lingered for months.
UNEB, established by an Act of Parliament in 1983, oversees national assessments in Uganda. The new lower secondary curriculum, launched in 2020, relies heavily on continuous assessment, especially in humanities subjects like History, Geography, and Religious Education. Continuous assessment counts for 20% of the final grade, while UNEB exams contribute 80%.
Without submitted continuous assessment marks, students cannot be graded at UNEB for the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) exams. This situation puts many students in humanities at risk of being denied final grades this year.
The strike erupted over salary disparities between Arts and Science teachers. An Arts teacher with a degree earns about Shs1,078,162 gross monthly and nets Shs841,931 after deductions. In contrast, a Science teacher with similar qualifications earns Shs4,000,000 gross and nets Shs2,858,000. Diploma holders in Arts earn Shs784,214 gross (net Shs639,108), while their Science counterparts take home Shs1,616,000 net.
Despite government promises to address pay inequalities, no concrete timeline has emerged. This delay frustrates teachers and fuels the ongoing strike.
Education Ministry Permanent Secretary Dr Kedrace Turyagyenda urged the striking teachers to resume work. He called on them to consider the impact on learners and respect their professional ethics. Dr Turyagyenda noted that negotiations on salary increments are ongoing and asked teachers to be patient.
However, the teachers remain firm, demanding a tangible solution before returning to classrooms. This deadlock threatens to deepen the crisis in implementing the new curriculum, which depends heavily on continuous assessments.
Meanwhile, Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) Secretary General Filbert Baguma said their union is closely monitoring the situation. While UNATU has not joined the strike, they hope the government will intervene promptly.
Dr Turyagyenda also praised the Simameni project, launched in 2019 in secondary schools across Teso and western Uganda. The project helps keep girls in school through gender-sensitive teaching tools, mentorship, and other support.
In conclusion, the UNEB Arts Teachers Strike highlights critical challenges in Uganda’s education system, mainly related to salary disparities and curriculum rollout. Without swift government action, the strike risks disrupting many students’ academic futures, especially in the humanities.
Read: Humanities Teachers Strike in Uganda Over Salary Disparities
