Kampala, Uganda — The Minister of Public Service, Muruli Mukasa, has issued a five-day ultimatum to striking teachers, warning that failure to return to classrooms will be treated as abscondment from duty and could result in dismissal.
On 15th September 2025, teachers under the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) declared a nationwide strike over pay disparities between science and arts (humanities) teachers, a standoff that has since disrupted learning in schools across the country.
Government Response
Speaking at the Uganda Media Center in Kampala, Mukasa urged the teachers to call off their strike immediately, arguing that the timing—midway through the school calendar—was harmful to learners.
“The government has promised to incrementally increase salaries for all public servants in a phased manner and has been fulfilling this promise,” Mukasa said.
He noted that the public service currently employs 368,291 personnel, and since the 2018/2019 financial year, at least 125,276 public officers have benefited from the government’s UGX 2.5 trillion salary enhancement program.
According to Mukasa, President Yoweri Museveni has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to achieving a 25% salary increment for teachers, which forms part of the 77% long-term enhancement plan approved by the Ministry of Finance.
“The budget process for 2026/2027 has just commenced, and the Ministry has already submitted the enhancement requirement for all teachers who are below the 25% threshold. So, I don’t know why they are not patient,” Mukasa added.
The minister directed chief administrative officers, town clerks, and district/city education officers to monitor compliance, track teacher attendance, and take action against those defying the directive.
Teachers Stand Firm
Despite the warnings, UNATU leaders remain defiant. The union’s General Secretary, Filbert Baguma, said the strike would continue until government addresses the issue of salary disparities.
Baguma emphasized that over 10,000 humanities teachers have already joined the strike, accusing the government of discrimination and unfair treatment.
“The strike will not end until government takes concrete steps to resolve the pay gap. We demand dialogue and a clear commitment,” Baguma said.
Growing Standoff
The standoff was further heightened when, shortly after his nomination, President Yoweri Museveni declared that there would be no salary enhancement for teachers, signaling a hardline government stance.
As schools remain paralyzed by the strike, pressure continues to mount on both government and UNATU to find a solution before the five-day deadline lapses.
