The Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU) has publicly distanced itself from the ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike, urging its members to remain at work and continue with their professional duties as the new school term begins.
In a notice issued on Monday, UPHTU General Secretary Francis Mutesasira emphasized that the union is not part of the industrial action led by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) and warned its members against participating.
“UPHTU finds it necessary to guide members on the proposed industrial action being organized by UNATU and to state clearly that UPHTU is not part of this action and strongly advises its members not to participate,” said Mutesasira.
The humanities teachers’ union cited ongoing constructive engagement with government and a formal commitment to salary enhancement beginning in the 2026/2027 financial year as the reason for its non-participation.
UPHTU leadership recently met with the Parliamentary Committee on Education on September 10th and 11th, where government reaffirmed its phased approach to public service salary adjustments.
“We believe in dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation with government in order to achieve long-term and sustainable results for our members,” Mutesasira added.
“Let us remain calm, united and committed to our professional duties while UPHTU leadership continues to follow up and safeguard our collective interests.”
The development comes on the backdrop of a strike initiated by UNATU for teachers across Uganda to put down their tools to protest long-standing salary disparities within the education sector.
UNATU has accused the government of ignoring repeated appeals for fair compensation, particularly for arts, humanities, and primary school teachers who were excluded from the 300% salary increment awarded to science teachers during the 2022/2023 financial year.
“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,” said Filbert Baguma, UNATU General Secretary.
“If we are not happy with this unfairness, our action will speak louder than words.”
UNATU has insisted that the industrial action is lawful, peaceful, and non-political, aimed at demanding equity and fairness across the teaching profession.
