Jesse Musinguzi, Grade 12
UWCEA Moshi
On June 15, 2022, public school arts and science teachers went on strike over unfair salary increments whereby only science teachers were set to receive an increase in wages in the upcoming financial year. Teachers boycotted the classrooms and were to return once the salary commitments had been fulfilled. The Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) argued for a more equal distribution of salaries and threatened to take “industrial action”(kampalaguardian) over the matter. The so called “industrial action” was threatened four years ago but was suspended due to the promised implementation of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which promised equal salaries for teachers.
There was a sense of hope that money would be set aside for teacher salaries as the government was discovered to have allocated 193 billion Ugandan Shillings towards the allowances of the members of parliament. After about a month of strike, teachers met with the president on the 4th of July to discuss the strike and the steps forward. Even after meetings, even during the strike, President Museveni discussed his previous stance of gradually increasing the salaries of civil workers while being guided by scientific strategy. He said, “This does not mean we have forgotten others, but we are choosing to prioritise the few, and others can come later. We must finish one problem at a time.While the government acknowledges the issues raised by the arts teachers, we are also aware of salary issues from other workers; the army, police officers, etc, who are equally important to the growth and development of this country. "(Kamoga)
The general secretary of UNATU, Filbert Bagum, verified that the strike had been neutralised and that they would still be discussing the matter with the government, allowing students to go back to school. “We didn't lose the battle. We chose to continue the discussion rather than close it. We have gained a lot from this industrial action. We got public and government attention. The government said they realize our issues and they'll be addressed going forward. We can't say we came out with nothing,” he stated regarding the matter. After the meeting, President Museveni went to Twitter to announce that “It is okumemerera (sprinkling), where everyone will get a little and then next year everyone strikes. We have a strategy and no one should disrupt us. We are aware of the issues and we are committed to handling them. Therefore, my advice to the teachers is that they should go back and teach”.
President Museveni urged the teacher to go back to teaching as he assured that the government was going to handle the situation. I personally think that the government will be able to set enough aside for teachers if they reduce the amount of money that is allocated to members of parliament. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the government spent 2 billion Ugandan Shillings(Kamurungi) on Ipads for members of parliament.
The government also provided each of the 529 members of parliament with 200 million Ugandan shillings, which would be used to buy new cars. This sparked criticism from Ugandans as it was alarming how much the government was spending on members of parliament rather than on the country that was experiencing hardships due to the pandemic. A revision of the national budget more centered on improving the wellbeing of Ugandans.
Works Cited
Independent, The. “UNATU Calls off Teachers Strike.” The Independent Uganda:, 5 July 2022, www.independent.co.ug/unatu-calls-off-teachers-strike/. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Kamoga, Jonathan. “Uganda Arts Teachers End Strike with No Pay Rise Promise.” The East African, 5 July 2022, www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/uganda-arts-teachers-end-strike-with-no-pay-rise-pledge-3869596. Accessed 21 July 2022.
kampalaguardian. “Teachers Strike over Discriminatory Salary Increments Begins Tomorrow.” Kampala Guardian, 14 June 2022, kampalaguardian.com/2022/06/14/teachers-strike-over-discriminatory-salary-increments-begins-tomorrow/. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Kamurungi, Elizabeth. “Parliament Spends Shs2b on New IPads.” Monitor, 29 July 2021, www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/parliament-spends-shs2b-on-new-ipads-3491734. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Nafula, Jane. “Teachers Suspend Strike.” Monitor, 4 July 2022, www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/teachers-suspend-strike-3868894. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Reporter, Pearl Times. “STOP TAKING US for GRANTED: Fresh Trouble for Museveni Government, Schools as Arts Teachers Announce Strike Demanding Shs4m Monthly like Their Science Colleagues.” The Pearl Times, 12 June 2022, pearltimes.co.ug/stop-taking-us-for-granted-fresh-trouble-for-museveni-government-schools-as-arts-teachers-announce-strike-demanding-shs4m-monthly-like-their-science-colleagues/. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Image Courtesy: https://thenewspearl.com/moreproblemssecondaryteachersinlirastrikesoverpayments/
There was a sense of hope that money would be set aside for teacher salaries as the government was discovered to have allocated 193 billion Ugandan Shillings towards the allowances of the members of parliament. After about a month of strike, teachers met with the president on the 4th of July to discuss the strike and the steps forward. Even after meetings, even during the strike, President Museveni discussed his previous stance of gradually increasing the salaries of civil workers while being guided by scientific strategy. He said, “This does not mean we have forgotten others, but we are choosing to prioritise the few, and others can come later. We must finish one problem at a time.While the government acknowledges the issues raised by the arts teachers, we are also aware of salary issues from other workers; the army, police officers, etc, who are equally important to the growth and development of this country. "(Kamoga)
The general secretary of UNATU, Filbert Bagum, verified that the strike had been neutralised and that they would still be discussing the matter with the government, allowing students to go back to school. “We didn't lose the battle. We chose to continue the discussion rather than close it. We have gained a lot from this industrial action. We got public and government attention. The government said they realize our issues and they'll be addressed going forward. We can't say we came out with nothing,” he stated regarding the matter. After the meeting, President Museveni went to Twitter to announce that “It is okumemerera (sprinkling), where everyone will get a little and then next year everyone strikes. We have a strategy and no one should disrupt us. We are aware of the issues and we are committed to handling them. Therefore, my advice to the teachers is that they should go back and teach”.
President Museveni urged the teacher to go back to teaching as he assured that the government was going to handle the situation. I personally think that the government will be able to set enough aside for teachers if they reduce the amount of money that is allocated to members of parliament. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the government spent 2 billion Ugandan Shillings(Kamurungi) on Ipads for members of parliament.
The government also provided each of the 529 members of parliament with 200 million Ugandan shillings, which would be used to buy new cars. This sparked criticism from Ugandans as it was alarming how much the government was spending on members of parliament rather than on the country that was experiencing hardships due to the pandemic. A revision of the national budget more centered on improving the wellbeing of Ugandans.
Works Cited
Independent, The. “UNATU Calls off Teachers Strike.” The Independent Uganda:, 5 July 2022, www.independent.co.ug/unatu-calls-off-teachers-strike/. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Kamoga, Jonathan. “Uganda Arts Teachers End Strike with No Pay Rise Promise.” The East African, 5 July 2022, www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/news/east-africa/uganda-arts-teachers-end-strike-with-no-pay-rise-pledge-3869596. Accessed 21 July 2022.
kampalaguardian. “Teachers Strike over Discriminatory Salary Increments Begins Tomorrow.” Kampala Guardian, 14 June 2022, kampalaguardian.com/2022/06/14/teachers-strike-over-discriminatory-salary-increments-begins-tomorrow/. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Kamurungi, Elizabeth. “Parliament Spends Shs2b on New IPads.” Monitor, 29 July 2021, www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/parliament-spends-shs2b-on-new-ipads-3491734. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Nafula, Jane. “Teachers Suspend Strike.” Monitor, 4 July 2022, www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/teachers-suspend-strike-3868894. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Reporter, Pearl Times. “STOP TAKING US for GRANTED: Fresh Trouble for Museveni Government, Schools as Arts Teachers Announce Strike Demanding Shs4m Monthly like Their Science Colleagues.” The Pearl Times, 12 June 2022, pearltimes.co.ug/stop-taking-us-for-granted-fresh-trouble-for-museveni-government-schools-as-arts-teachers-announce-strike-demanding-shs4m-monthly-like-their-science-colleagues/. Accessed 21 July 2022.
Image Courtesy: https://thenewspearl.com/moreproblemssecondaryteachersinlirastrikesoverpayments/
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