The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) says its teachers strike will go on until the government positively responds to their demands.
UNATU’s National Chair, Zadock Tumuhimbise, warned that if authorities continue to ignore their calls, the strike will escalate.
In an interview at White Horse Inn in Kabale, Tumuhimbise emphasized that this is about more than teachers’ pay—it’s also about protecting the future of Uganda’s students. He said the union’s current action is unlike anything before and will continue in all regions until there’s a concrete show of commitment from the government.
One of the union’s main demands is for the government to extend the salary enhancement scheme launched in 2022. So far, only certain groups of teachers have seen these benefits, leaving many others out. Tumuhimbise warned that the strike could especially hurt performance in arts subjects.
Although some teachers have defied the strike directive and resumed duties, Tumuhimbise says this varies by school and by teacher category. He noted that UNATU has rules for disciplining members who break the strike.
Meanwhile, government officials are pushing back. Kabale’s Resident District Commissioner, Maj. Godfrey Katamba, urged teachers not to block students from attending school, warning that anyone who does could face legal consequences. He acknowledged teachers have the right to protest, but said students’ right to education must also be protected.
For now, many parents and learners are caught in the middle, anxious about how long the disruption will last and what it might mean for the rest of the school term.
