Striking Teachers Ordered To Resume Work Or Face Dismissal

 October 3, 2025   |    6 views

KAMPALA, UGANDA: The government has issued a one-week ultimatum to striking arts teachers, ordering them to return to classrooms or face dismissal, escalating a protracted salary standoff that has disrupted Uganda’s education calendar.

The stern directive was issued by the Minister for Public Service, Hon. Muruli Mukasa, during a press briefing at Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, declaring the ongoing strike illegal and disruptive, particularly with national end-of-year examinations fast approaching.

Hon Muruuli instructed Chief Administrative Officers and District Education Officers to monitor teacher attendance and enforce compliance. “Teachers who fail to resume duty within a week will be deemed to have abandoned their posts,” he warned. “Government will not hesitate to replace them to safeguard the future of our children.”

According to the minister, the government has honored commitments under a phased salary enhancement program, highlighting UGX 2.5 trillion invested since 2018/19.

But Arts & Humanities teachers say they were promised a 25% pay rise in the 2026/27 budget, with discussions ongoing to fast-track the increment. Supplementary measures, including UGX 40 billion for teacher SACCOs and possible PAYE tax waivers, are also under consideration.

The strike, which began on September 15, involves teachers of History, Geography, Literature, and Religious Education, and follows the government’s 2022 decision to award science teachers significant salary increases, UGX 4 million starting pay compared to UGX 1.2–1.4 million for humanities graduates.

UNATU argues that the disparity is discriminatory, undermines equal pay principles, and devalues the role of the humanities in shaping well-rounded citizens.

UNATU Responds

Responding to the one-week ultimatum, UNATU dismissed the government’s threats as heavy-handed. “Threatening teachers with dismissal will not solve the problem. What we need is genuine engagement and binding commitments,” Mr Filbert Baguma, the union’s Secretary General, said.

Mr Baguma further warned that continued neglect risks worsening pupil-to-teacher ratios and lowering education standards as more teachers abandon the profession.

The standoff has set the stage for a tense week. Mass dismissals could destabilize an already strained education system, but a negotiated settlement would require reallocation of scarce public funds at a time of economic pressure. With thousands of learners left in limbo, education stakeholders are urging both the government and UNATU to urgently strike a deal.