The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has announced that arts teachers across the country will not return to classrooms when schools open for third term on September, 15, 2025.
The union notes that the industrial action follows government’s failure to address long-standing salary disparities between arts and science teachers.
The decision follows resolutions from a special sitting of UNATU’s National Executive Council (NEC) on 10th September and a meeting of branch chairpersons on September,11.
UNATU accuses government of ignoring repeated appeals for salary enhancement for teachers in both primary and post-primary schools, as well as other education institutions, who were left out during the FY2022/2023 salary increments.
Filbert Baguma, UNATU General Secretary, said teachers have for long been left with empty promises calling upon unhappy teachers across Uganda not to return to classroom until they’re heard.
“For three years, while some of our colleagues have enjoyed a 300% salary increment, the rest of us have been left with nothing but empty promises. Three years of waiting, three years of frustration, three years of watching others move ahead while we are told to ‘wait.’ The answer is clear if we are not happy with this unfairness, our action will speak louder than words,” he said.
“On 15th September, let every affected teacher, in every corner of Uganda, remain at home. Our absence will send a clear and unmistakable message to government that teachers cannot and will not continue to be ignored.”
UNATU stressed that the industrial action is non-political, lawful, and peaceful, rooted in the demand for equity and fairness across the teaching profession.
The union recalled that a similar strike in 2022 was only suspended to allow for negotiations, but three years later, government has remained silent.
Despite engagements with the Office of the President, the Office of the Head of Public Service, the Ministry of Public Service, and the Ministry of Education and Sports, no solution has been offered. UNATU also petitioned the Equal Opportunities Commission but is yet to receive feedback.
Baguma warned that this time, the strike would remain in force until government takes “concrete and verifiable steps” to resolve the disparities.
“We have tried to speak up through letters and other formal requests for audience but government has not listened. This time round, let the empty classrooms speak for us. Let our absence from the school compounds be louder than the excuses from government. Remember this: ‘Three years, no justice – our silence ends now!’” he added.
The teachers’ strike threatens to disrupt the third term calendar nationwide, with national exams looming for candidates in primary and secondary schools.
At the beginning of the second term, arts teachers staged an industrial action that lasted about four weeks, disrupting learning across the country.
During the strike, Education Minister Janet Museveni invited them for a meeting, but the teachers continued with their protest until President Yoweri Museveni intervened and promised to address their concerns.
However, at that time, the teachers did not have the formal backing of UNATU.
