Dokolo, Uganda | The nationwide teachers’ strike demanding salary enhancements has entered its second week, paralysing learning in government-aided schools across Uganda as negotiations with the government stall.
Joseph Omiat, chairperson of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) in Dokolo District, confirmed that teachers would remain at home until their demands are addressed.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday September 24, in Dokolo Town Council, Omiat explained that arts teachers wanted a 100% salary increase, arguing that government’s decision to raise science teachers’ salaries by 300% had created a sharp imbalance.
He stressed that teachers would not return to class until the matter is resolved.
Julius Peter Alikambo Ayoi, a teacher at Apewotneki Primary School in Dokolo, criticised Education Minister Janet Kataaha Museveni’s earlier remarks in which she reportedly said that arts teachers’ pay would only be reviewed if the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) secured victory in the next general election.
He described the statement as unfair and politically insensitive.
Leci Obura, a parent from Oyirogole Primary School in Kangai Sub-County, appealed to the government to improve teachers’ welfare so that children could resume classes during this critical promotional term.
Other parents, including Evaline Okwir of Okwongodul Primary School and Jimmy Omoo from Adwila Primary School, said they feared the prolonged strike would cause poor academic performance, particularly for candidates preparing for final examinations.
Santos Okuja, Secretary for Health and Education in Dokolo District Local Government, urged teachers to return to class as the government looked for ways to resolve the crisis.
While the strike affects government schools, private institutions remain operational.
Olwal George, a teacher at Obete Memorial School, explained that private educators had continued teaching despite earning less, saying they could not afford to suspend work.
Ben Kumumanya, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government, has taken a hard line cautioning teachers against resorting to strikes, saying such actions undermined service delivery and compromised students’ education.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has separately announced that the government planned to recruit 50,000 additional teachers to reduce the pupil-to-teacher ratio in public schools.
He also reaffirmed his pledge to fully operationalise Universal Primary Education in his next term, saying the move would eliminate cases of extortion by administrators.
For now, however, thousands of pupils remain stranded as the deadlock over teachers’ salaries continues, raising fears of long-term effects on Uganda’s education sector.