"No Pay Rise, We're Broke!" Gov’t Tells Striking Teachers

The government of Uganda has told striking teachers that their demands for a salary increase cannot be met due to severe budget constraints. Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa made this clear during a session in Parliament on October 1, 2025, while discussing the Human Resource Management Professionals Bill. He revealed that Uganda currently funds only 31% of its national budget domestically, with the rest of the funding coming from loans and grants from development partners.

Mukasa explained that this financial vulnerability is preventing the government from meeting the demands of teachers. "We raise just 31% of our budget domestically. The rest comes from loans and partners, showing how vulnerable we are," he stated. He emphasized that the government had committed not to borrowing money for salaries, and that any salary increases must come from domestic revenue, which is capped at 35%.

The government’s inability to provide the demanded salary hikes has sparked criticism, especially from lawmakers. Catherine Ndamira, the Kabale Woman MP, questioned how the government plans to recruit 50,000 additional teachers, as promised by President Museveni, if it is struggling to pay current teachers. "Private school children face no disruptions, while public school students suffer. The President promised 50,000 new teachers, yet you say there’s no money for current ones. Who’s confusing who?" she asked.

Minister Mukasa clarified that the recruitment of the new teachers is planned for the 2026/27 financial year and would be reflected in the upcoming budget. He reassured Parliament that teachers, even while on strike, would continue to receive their full salaries. "It’s not our intention to disadvantage public school children. Teachers are being paid, even during the strike. The issue is the amount, but what we can afford is there," he explained.

Mukasa also addressed the teachers’ demand for a 300% salary increase, stating that it was "unfeasible." While he acknowledged the government's intention to raise teachers' salaries by 25% in the next financial year, he pointed out that teachers have already seen multiple pay raises since 2019. He cited that primary school teachers’ salaries had increased from UGX 200,000 to over UGX 600,000 per month, while science teachers now earn up to UGX 4 million monthly, with school administrators earning even more.

In response to concerns raised by Bugahya County MP, Pius Wakabi, about the impact of the strike on students, Mukasa urged teachers to remain patient. He highlighted government efforts to support the welfare of teachers, such as a UGX 20 billion injection into the Teachers' SACCO and another UGX 20 billion for the UNATU SACCO. He also revealed that proposals to sponsor the education of up to four children per teacher are under consideration.

The Minister further shared plans to revive a policy from the 1970s that would provide government housing for teachers, doctors, and security forces. "Teachers had government housing in the 1970s, and we’re now reinstating this for key cadres to improve efficiency," he stated.

On salary disparities, particularly among arts teachers, Lutseshe County MP Isaac Modoi suggested that the government should harmonize pay scales to reduce unrest. Mukasa responded that the Ministry of Finance is reviewing the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax issue for arts teachers and considering waivers. He also revealed that the government is studying a proposal to sponsor the education of up to four biological children of teachers, which has already received the President's support.

In conclusion, Mukasa compared the situation of public school teachers to their private sector counterparts, noting, "Private school teachers earn far less and work harder, yet public teachers claim mistreatment. We’re committed to addressing their concerns, but they must also consider the government’s constraints."