Ugandan Arts Teachers Strike Nationwide Over Pay Disparities

Mr Godfrey Osenda, National Chairman of Uganda Professional Humanities Sacco, said over 10,000 out of 17,000 government-employed arts teachers have signed on to participate.

“We’ve already laid down our tools because the 90-day deadline we gave the government to address our salary issues expired last Friday,’’ he said.

He noted that initial resistance among teachers had faded after sensitization meetings in Busia, Tororo, Mbale, and Butaleja districts.

“We’ve directed all government school teachers handling humanities to boycott classes and refrain from teaching until further notice,’’ he added.

Mr Osenda also challenged the government’s argument that salary increases depend on economic growth, noting, “The economy has grown to Shs226 trillion annually,” implying there is now fiscal room to meet their demands.

Mr Patrick Ochodomuge, a teacher in a government school, said despite promises since 2022, no pay raise has been delivered.

“Arts teachers have been engaging with the government since 2022, demanding a pay increase, but despite numerous promises, none have been fulfilled,’’ he told this publication on Monday.

Mr Mande Yowa, another arts teacher, said they had hoped to see improvements in the upcoming budget.

“We shop at the same markets as our science colleagues, and sometimes we wonder if we’re less valued by the government or if we’re not public servants too,’’ he said.

Authorities in the central government, particularly from the Ministry of Education and Sports, were not immediately available for comment on the matter by press time.