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Teachers called off strike after promises of enhanced benefits from the President
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By Our Reporter
Kampala — President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has urged Arts and Humanities teachers to resume work and work with the government to find lasting solutions to salary challenges, following a meeting with their leaders this week. The teachers, who had staged an industrial action over low pay, agreed to suspend their strike and will resume teaching and marking Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) assessments starting tomorrow.
Speaking after the meeting, President Museveni acknowledged the teachers’ concerns and drew parallels with past efforts to address low pay in other sectors, including the army. “During the war, we prioritised feeding the soldiers on guard duty to ensure everyone’s safety. This teamwork enabled us to persevere. When we returned, we explored ways to thrive despite low wages, beginning with a payment of Shs 3.5 million to the Chief Justice, making him the highest earner,” Museveni said.
Teachers met the president and his wife, the Minsiter of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni at his home
The President noted that similar strategies can be adopted for Arts teachers, including building homes for teachers, ensuring free education for their children, and implementing a phased 25% pay increase.
“I encouraged them to return to work and collaborate with the government for a better future, which they obliged to. Together, we can develop collective solutions for Arts teachers, just as we did for the soldiers,” he said.
The teachers’ representatives expressed optimism that continued dialogue will result in improved working conditions and better welfare for teachers across the country. The resumption of classes and assessment marking is expected to stabilise learning in schools that had been affected by the strike.
Torch Media Africa
