Minister Ogwang Appeals To Teachers To Resume Work Amidst Salary Talks

 October 5, 2025   |    66 views

The Minister of State for Education and Sports (Sports), Hon. Peter Ogwang, has appealed to the striking teachers to return to classrooms as the government works on a lasting solution to the salary problem.

While appearing in a radio talk show in Voice of Teso ,88.4 FM in Soroti City on 4^th Oct 2025, Ogwang emphasized that a review of all civil servants’ salaries is underway, starting from the next financial year, 2026/2027.

“Government has been engaging with the leadership of the teacher`s Union, the Uganda National Teacher`s Union (UNATU) and agreed to add arts teachers’ salaries starting from 25% effective next financial year 2026/2027”, Ogwang said.

He explained that other incentives include review of the taxes due for teachers and supporting teachers SACCO.

Government’s Efforts to Address Salary Concerns

Hon. Ogwang assured teachers that the government is committed to addressing their concerns.

“We have started working on the budget for FY 2026/2027, and the major issue is increment of teacher`s salary by 25%,” he said, adding the focus will be enhancement of salaries of primary teachers and arts teachers in Secondary Schools.

“To enhance teachers’ salaries, government needs about two trillion shillings and government is working on getting this money because it’s going to be a recurrent budget effective next financial year”, Ogwang explained.

 He said during the recent engagement with the teachers’ leaders, the president directed a review of teachers’ taxes down wards to ensure that teachers are not over taxed.

Hon Ogwang explained that another area of concern is teachers’ accommodation.

“The president also directed us to get the data concern the accommodation gaps for teachers across the country and once it’s done, we shall work with the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs so that in the next financial year, construction of the teachers houses in schools kicks off”, the minister said.

He said government was also looking at supporting teachers to sponsor their children in the Universities in order to ease their financial burden.

“Therefore, I want to humbly appeal to you my teachers that while industrial action is lawful, lets to return to work while engaging government because government is committed to increasing your salaries. Let’s focus on the child. Let’s be engaging government while working”, he said.

The minister cautioned local leaders against using coercion and force but engage with the teachers in a respectful manner.

The Minister’s appeal to teachers comes as the government continues to work on addressing the challenges facing the education sector.