A nationwide strike called by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has highlighted divisions within the country’s education sector. While some teachers have joined the industrial action, others in districts like Kamuli and Buyende have chosen to defy the call and continue teaching.
The strike was declared in protest against what UNATU describes as unfair pay disparities and poor working conditions. Union leaders argue that teachers, particularly at primary and rural levels, are struggling to survive on meager salaries, even as other civil servants in similar grades receive higher pay.
“We are not fighting for luxuries,” one UNATU representative said. “We are demanding fairness, dignity, and recognition for the role teachers play in building the nation.”
However, the strike has not seen uniform participation. In Kamuli and Buyende, many teachers reported to class, saying they could not abandon their pupils during the school term. Some also cited fear of reprisals or skepticism about whether the strike would yield results.
The government has urged teachers to return to work, promising to continue dialogue over pay reforms. Education officials argue that while teachers’ concerns are valid, striking disrupts learning and hurts children, especially those in already struggling schools.
For parents and pupils, the uncertainty has been frustrating. “My child’s school is open, but his cousin’s school is closed,” said one parent in Jinja. “This confusion is affecting the children most.”
As negotiations continue, the teachers’ strike underscores the growing tension between Uganda’s educators and the government, raising urgent questions about equity, education funding, and the value placed on the teaching profession.
