Kampala, Uganda: The National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has announced the suspension of its 32-day sit-down strike by Arts teachers after holding discussions with the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among to address their issues.
UNATU General Secretary, Mr. Filbert Baguma, explained that the union delivered a formal petition in which the striking teachers demanded salary parity with their Science counterparts to the Speaker during a meeting held on October 8.
The Speaker subsequently directed three parliamentary committees — Education, Public Service, and Local Government — to return from recess and investigate the concerns raised by teachers.
“The National Executive Council and branch chairpersons, in a special sitting on Thursday, resolved to suspend the industrial action to allow Parliament, through the relevant committees, to conclude their investigations,” Baguma said. He urged all teachers to resume duties promptly while the union monitors Parliament’s progress.
Baguma emphasized that the suspension should not be seen as a surrender, but rather as a strategic step to allow the legislative process to take its course. “If Parliament fails to deliver justice, industrial action will resume — stronger, broader, and indefinite,” he warned.
The 32-day strike, which began on September 15, has been described by Baguma as a critical step in reopening long-closed negotiation channels over salary disparities, building a national consensus on teacher equity, and elevating the issue from ministry offices to Parliamentary scrutiny.
The six-hour meeting that led to the suspension was attended by UNATU regional and branch leaders, alongside five workers’ MPs and other stakeholders.
Baguma highlighted the four key outcomes achieved by the industrial action: it reignited negotiation channels that had been stagnant for over three years; established a consensus that teachers deserve respect and equitable treatment; triggered parliamentary engagement via three key committees; and ensured ministers are now accountable in a formal legislative setting.
The development is seen as a temporary pause in industrial action as the teaching fraternity awaits concrete recommendations from Parliament, offering a window for dialogue while keeping the pressure for equitable remuneration alive.
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