UNATU again declares nationwide teachers’ strike over salary disparities

The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has announced a nationwide strike, instructing members to stay out of classrooms when the third term begins on September 15, 2025.

The industrial action targets persistent salary disparities that have fueled recurring disputes in the education sector. Over the years, different teacher unions have staged strikes over delayed or unequal pay adjustments, but the issue remains unresolved.

UNATU general secretary Filbert Baguma said the decision comes after three years of fruitless dialogue with government.

“Despite numerous reminders, petitions, and formal letters to the Office of the President, the head of Public Service, and relevant ministries, government has failed to provide a clear plan to address these disparities,” Baguma said.

The last major UNATU strike in 2022 ended after a tense meeting with President Yoweri Museveni, who told union leaders that salary increments were not possible at the time, as government had prioritized science teachers.

UNATU suspended the strike to allow negotiations, but three years later, no breakthrough has been reached.

“Teachers have waited patiently, but government has remained indifferent. Industrial action remains the only option left,” Baguma added.

He emphasized that the strike is protected under Ugandan law and international labour standards, warning against intimidation or harassment of teachers. Education experts have long criticized government’s stance, arguing that humanities teachers are equally vital to the country’s education system.

Museveni, however, has repeatedly defended his decision to prioritize science teachers in several speeches, often in a firm tone. The timing of the strike declaration comes just days after Museveni told teachers attending a patriotism training at Ntare School in Mbarara that salary enhancements would begin next year.

But Baguma dismissed the pledge, saying the teachers at the event did not represent the national workforce and that no official communication had been made to all teachers.

Earlier this year, members of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union also staged a week-long strike. It ended after negotiations with Museveni at State House, where union leaders secured allowances and a presidential promise of immediate Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax relief for all teachers.

While Museveni pledged to phase in salary enhancements, the tax relief has not yet been implemented. One tangible outcome was the creation of a Shs 20 billion fund for the arts teachers’ SACCO.

Still, ministry of Public Service data underscores the glaring pay gap: Graduate science teachers earn a gross monthly salary of Shs 4 million, taking home about Shs 2.8 million after tax. Graduate arts teachers take home between Shs 672,000 and Shs 754,600.

Diploma-level science teachers earn about Shs 1.54 million net. Diploma-level arts teachers earn between Shs 521,500 and Shs 548,800. Teachers form the largest segment of Uganda’s public service. According to the ministry of Finance, raising salaries for more than 17,000 arts teachers to match the Shs 4 million paid to science teachers would cost approximately Shs 509 billion annually.