A cross section of ministers from the line ministries and other officials pause for a picture after the press conference
HABARI DAILY I Kampala, Uganda I Arts and humanities teachers across Uganda have called off their nationwide strike, which had crippled learning for nearly a month.
The strike, which began on June 6, 2025, was sparked by long-standing grievances over what teachers described as low pay and inequitable salary payment compared to their science counterparts.
Currently, a graduate arts teacher in secondary school earns approximately sh1,078,162 monthly, while a diploma holder earns sh784,214. Science teachers, in contrast, earn significantly more, with some earning up to sh4m.
The industrial action, which lasted for over three weeks and had crippled learning for thousands of students.
According to Muruli Mukasa, the Minister of Public Service, the decision follows a meeting with President Museveni at State House where the government committed to a phased salary enhancement starting in the next financial year (2026/2027).
“The industrial action has come to an end following a productive meeting with the teachers’ leadership at State House,” Mukasa noted.
This was during a joint press conference today, which he held alongside ministers of Education and Finance.
Dr. Chrysostom Muyingo, the State Minister for Higher Education, urged teachers to return to classrooms immediately.
“The highly successful meeting led to a resolution that teachers start going back to school and cover for the lost time,” he said.
Amos Lugolobi, the State Minister for Finance disclosed that the government has agreed to pay 25 percent of the sh500b required, spread over four years starting next year.
“The commitment we made also includes a promise to provide housing for all teachers,” he said.
The teachers, represented by the Uganda Arts Teachers Association (UATA), agreed to resume work after the government pledged to allocate 25% of the sh500b required for their salary enhancement, spread over four years.
UATA leadership confirmed their decision to oblige the President’s call to return to work, a move that averts a looming crisis and clears the way for classes to resume and for teachers to begin marking pending Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scripts.
This is expected to prevent delays in national exam results for thousands of students.
The industrial action had brought learning to a standstill, particularly for students preparing for national examinations.
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