Kampala, Uganda: At least 10,000 teachers of Arts and Humanities in Ugandan public schools and training institutions on Tuesday declared a nationwide strike over persistent pay disparities, accusing the government of neglecting their calls for equitable salary structures.
The strike, spearheaded by the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU), began immediately after the Eid al-Adha (June 6) and Heroes Day (June 09) holidays and is set to affect secondary schools, 23 Primary Teachers’ Colleges, five National Teachers’ Colleges, and all Uganda Colleges of Commerce.
“We won’t return to class until our concerns are resolved. We want all teachers with similar qualifications to have equal salary scales, regardless of subject area,’’ said Teopista Akello, UPHTU National Chairperson.
Ms Akello decried what she called systemic discrimination, pointing to staffrooms where teachers with similar training receive different salaries based on subject specialization. “We have teachers in one staffroom with similar qualifications but different salaries. These disparities are unhealthy and must stop,” Akello told a local daily on Tuesday.
She added that while the union remains open to dialogue, members would not return to class until their demands for salary enhancement are met.
Teachers Boycott Classes
Godfrey Osenda, the National Chairman of the Uganda Professional Humanities SACCO, says over 10,000 out of 17,000 government-employed arts teachers have joined the industrial action. “We’ve already laid down our tools because the 90-day deadline we gave the government to address our salary issues expired last Friday,’’ he said.
He confirmed that compliance had grown following sensitization drives in Busia, Tororo, Mbale, and Butaleja districts. “We’ve directed all government school teachers handling humanities to boycott classes and refrain from teaching until further notice.”
Mr Osenda also dismissed government claims that wage revisions hinge on economic performance, pointing out that the economy now stands at Shs226 trillion, which he said was sufficient to support pay enhancements.
Teachers Voice Frustration
Mr Patrick Ochodomuge, a humanities teacher in a government school, noted that despite continued promises since 2022, no salary review has taken place. “Arts teachers have been engaging with the government since 2022, demanding a pay increase, but despite numerous promises, none have been fulfilled,’’ he said.
Mr Mande Yowa, another teacher, said the wage gap was demoralizing. “We shop at the same markets as our science colleagues. Sometimes we wonder if we’re less valued or if we’re not public servants too,” he said.
By press time, officials at the Ministry of Education and Sports had not commented on the strike.
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