First Lady commends teachers for calling off industrial action

KAMPALA - The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, has commended teachers for what she described as a patriotic decision to suspend the industrial action that had lasted several weeks and to return to class as the government continues to address their welfare concerns.

On Friday, Mrs. Museveni met leaders of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), the Uganda Technical and Vocational Trainers Union (UTVTU), plus key government officials and Members of Parliament, to discuss the way forward following weeks of industrial action.

Dignitaries at the State House Nakasero meeting included: Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Thomas Tayebwa, the Minister of State for Public Service, Grace Mary Mugasa, the Minister of State for Higher Education, Dr. John Chrysostom Muyingo and legislators, Arinaitwe Rwakajara, Agnes Kunihira plus Margaret Rwabushaija and Dr. Abdul Byakatondat, the legislator who represents workers. 

Senior officials from the Ministries of Education and Sports, Public Service, Finance, and Gender, Labour and Social Development, as well as representatives of the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU), were also in attendance.

The engagement followed weeks of industrial action by teachers and trainers calling for better remuneration and the harmonisation of salary structures.

A release from her office states that during discussions, Mrs. Museveni expressed gratitude to God for what she described as divine intervention in resolving the standoff, noting that she had prayed throughout the strike period for wisdom and national unity.
“I have no doubt in my mind that this meeting comes as a result of God’s personal intervention because He knows the truth about where Uganda stands and the government’s concern for all those who serve it,” she said.

The First Lady recalled earlier engagements between government and union leaders—including a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni—during which all parties agreed to allow government more time to mobilize funds for equitable salary enhancement for teachers and other public servants.

The release states that the minister said she had been surprised when the strike resurfaced, but continued to pray for a peaceful resolution.

“Allow me to thank God in His wisdom and mercy that He has intervened,” she said. “I also want to thank you for choosing dialogue and unity over confrontation, and for agreeing as Ugandans to stand with your government and return to work as we continue finding lasting solutions,” she stated.

Mrs. Museveni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equitable salary enhancement for all teachers and public servants and urged teachers to remain united, patient, and focused on serving the nation’s children.

“Before all these challenges are solved, we must walk together because we will get there—with God’s goodness,” she added.

She thanked all stakeholders for their cooperation and reiterated that the government remains committed to resolving outstanding matters.

“I thank you on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Sports and on behalf of the President himself,” she said. “May God help us fulfil the desires of our hearts together as we work for our children and our country.”

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Tayebwa, praised Mrs. Museveni for her steadfast leadership and faith-driven commitment to dialogue and unity.

“Mama deeply feels for teachers on this issue. Parliament will continue to play a supportive role to ensure that the country comes first,” he said.

He also commended union leaders for acting responsibly and expressed optimism that ongoing negotiations would yield positive results for both educators and learners.

Minister of State for Public Service Mugasa, reiterated the government’s dedication to improving the welfare of teachers and other public officers through phased salary enhancement in line with approved pay policy principles.

“As directed by the President, we are committed to improving the welfare of all teachers and other cadres,” she said.

“We will continue engaging with the unions during the budgeting process for the 2026/2027 financial year.”

She thanked UNATU for calling off the strike and appealed to teachers to support President Museveni in the forthcoming elections to “protect the gains made in the education sector.”

The Secretary General of UNATU, Mr. Filbert Bates Baguma, thanked the First Lady for her guidance and for opening the door to direct engagement.

“We have interacted with the Deputy Speaker, Members of Parliament, and officials from the Ministries of Education, Public Service, and Gender. It has been a long journey of engagement and prayer. We agreed that since the matter has been officially received and discussions are ongoing, our members should resume duty,” he said.

“Our members have returned to duty, and others are travelling to their respective districts. I have no doubt that by next week, all our members will be at work. We have high hopes that this issue will be resolved as engagements continue,” Baguma added.

Representing the Uganda Technical and Vocational Trainers Union (UTVTU), Mr. Nobert Agaba commended the government for opening dialogue with the TVET sector.

“We believe this engagement will go a long way in addressing long-standing challenges in our sector,” he said.

Agaba highlighted unresolved issues affecting TVET staff, including salary reclassifications that saw some members’ pay reduced from Shs 4 million to Shs 1.2 million without justification, the exclusion of some trainers from the ‘scientist’ category, and unpaid workshop technicians whose positions were not reflected in the Human Capital Management System.

“These people have gone for over a year without salaries because of system inconsistencies,” he said.

He requested official government communication to guide the calling off of the industrial action, citing the need for transparency and reassurance to their members.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Mr. Aggrey David Kibenge, said his ministry had worked closely with all parties to avert a protracted standoff.

“We invited the unions for mediation when a stalemate emerged, and we are pleased that both sides reached an understanding,” Kibenge said.

“These are learning experiences. Going forward, we will organise periodic consultations to ensure grievances are addressed early and to avoid similar stalemates,” he added.