Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) has threatened to rally teachers across the country to go on strike starting next week if government insists on increasing salaries for only science teachers, leaving out their arts (humanities) colleagues.
The Unatu general assembly that convened in Kampala on June 11 resolved to go on strike starting Wednesday, June 15, if no money is set aside to equally increase salaries for both arts and science teachers.
Unatu secretary general Filbert Baguma warned government against taking arts teachers for granted.
“Unatu hereby informs all teachers that the industrial action is on course. We have for a long time been taken for granted and it is high time the concerned actors streamlined pertaining our salary increment,” said Baguma.
“The public should therefore be aware that effective 15th June, 2022, teachers will not be present in the classrooms until Government honors the salary commitments made to them.”
The Unatu boss further noted that Unatu’s door was still “open for further negotiation, however government should note that as of [June 11], the industrial action is four days away.”
He went on to say that their industrial action started about four years ago but was suspended awaiting the fulfillment of government’s commitment to implementing the Collective Bargaining Agreement in which he claimed that both arts and science teachers were promised equal pay. Baguma further asked government to value teachers and not to turn their demands for salary increment in a song that can be ignored.
He also noted that he was certain government will find the money just like it secured billions to increase MPs’ allowances.
“We strongly believe that if money can be found for increasing allowances of members of Parliament, citing the rising costs of living and inflation, the same can be done for teachers in whose hands lies the burden of delivering quality education,” said Baguma.
Days ago, it was revealed that Parliament had allocated itself Shs193bn to increase MPs allowances. (Read Story Here).
This week, it emerged that Museveni’s government had set aside about Shs2.8bn to buy luxury cars for Speaker Anita Among and his deputy Thomas Tayebwa. (Read Story Here).
MORE ON TEACHERS’ SALARY INCREMENT
SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS: Science Teachers End Strike With NO DEAL But a Letter & Promises
WHERE DID THE MONEY GO? Shs110 Billion Initially Set Aside to Increase Science Teachers’ Salaries but Money Reportedly ‘Disappeared’
MORE ON SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS
In order to improve service delivery and end the challenge of strikes over low pay, President Museveni’s government has proposed huge salary increments for teachers, doctors and other employees starting July 2022. (Read Story Here)
The proposed increments have left many people wondering if government will really fulfill this pledge and increase salaries by very high amounts.
For example, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has argued that the promise of salary increment is just ‘another lie.’ (Read Story Here).
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija recently said the money for increasing teachers’, doctors’ and other civil servants’ salaries was available. (Read Story Here).
In August 2021, cabinet approved salary increment for teachers, doctors and other health workers. (Read Story Here).
See the salary structure that had been proposed for the current financial year here.
UPDATED LIST: See Salary Structure for All Government Workers
Meanwhile, an NRM MP has angered teachers after telling them they are too poor to go on strike. (Read Story Here).
