The government has given striking Arts and Humanities teachers a one-week deadline to return to work or face dismissal, intensifying a long-standing salary dispute that has disrupted Uganda’s education calendar.
At a press briefing on Thursday, Minister for Public Service Hon. Muruli Mukasa declared the ongoing strike illegal and warned of consequences as national end-of-year exams approach. He tasked Chief Administrative Officers and District Education Officers with monitoring attendance and enforcing the directive, stating that teachers who fail to resume duty within the deadline will be considered as having abandoned their posts.
The government maintains it has fulfilled commitments through a phased salary enhancement program, investing UGX 2.5 trillion since 2018/19. However, Arts and Humanities teachers, who have been on strike since September 15, contend they were promised a 25% pay increase in the 2026/27 budget and argue the current pay gap with science teachers—who earn nearly triple starting salaries—is unfair and discriminatory.
Supplementary benefits, including UGX 40 billion for teacher SACCOs and potential PAYE tax waivers, remain under discussion as the standoff continues to affect students and educators nationwide.
