First Lady Janet Museveni assures arts teachers of salary increment commitment

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At the highly attended Presidential Nomination Rally held at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, First Lady Janet Kataaha Museveni, who also serves as Uganda’s Minister of Education and Sports, delivered a strong reassurance to the education sector—particularly arts teachers—that their long-awaited salary enhancements are on the way.

Speaking candidly during the event that doubled as President Yoweri Museveni’s flagging-off as the NRM party’s presidential candidate for the 2026 elections, the First Lady acknowledged existing salary disparities between science and arts teachers in government schools but insisted that corrective measures are already in motion.

First Lady Janet Museveni waving to the NRM supporters at Kololo independence grounds on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

“Government is going to enhance salaries for arts teachers and this is across the board, including civil servants and everywhere,”  she stated.

The First Lady emphasised that the NRM government remains committed to completing its educational reforms, saying: “So when we say that teachers should not stop teaching because of the salaries, we mean it. They should understand where we have come from and continue to teach, believing that the NRM Government is going to finish what it started.”

Salary disparities acknowledged

Mrs Museveni provided context to the current state of teacher salaries. She noted that while science teachers' salaries had significantly increased over the past five years—from sh960,000 to sh4 million per month—arts teachers on the government payroll remain at: sh1.78 million per month (degree holders, before tax) and sh784,000 per month (diploma holders, before tax)

In private secondary schools, she added, salaries range from sh350,000 to sh1.3 million, depending on the school’s capacity.

“We still have gaps,” she admitted, “but all these gaps will be filled. Sufficient schools will be present all around the country, and the schools that need rehabilitation will be rehabilitated.”

(Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

Pressure from rapid population growth

The First Lady also reflected on the broader challenges facing Uganda’s education system, pointing to rapid population growth and administrative expansion.

“In 1986, Uganda had a population of 14 million. Now, according to the 2024 census, it stands at 46 million. The districts have increased from 33 in 1986 to 135 today.”

This growth, she explained, demands proportional investment in public services, including education infrastructure.

She highlighted the government’s past efforts: Primary schools have increased from 5,320 in 1986 to 12,549 today. Secondary schools have grown from 459 in 1986 to 1,524 in 2025.

However, she pointed out that children from poor families primarily rely on Universal Primary Education (UPE) schools—where quality and accessibility still face challenges.

“I want to show you why we still have school children who do not have schools to go to,” she said, urging unity and patience as the government works to close these gaps.

NRM supporters at Kololo independence grounds on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

Fund for jobless graduates

President Museveni, addressing the same rally, promised a fund to support university graduates who, after two years, have not found jobs as one of his strategies to ensure everyone comes into the money economy.

“I also want to bring back my idea I had in the past. I had an idea where I said that for university students who have spent two years out of university and have not got a job yet; shall go for a certain fund where they can borrow money to start something. We are going to create this fund,” said President Museveni.

Production, wealth creation

President Yoweri Museveni with the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, greeted by NRM first national vice chairman Al-Hajji Moses Kigongo. (Credit: Simon Peter Tumwine)

Additionally, President Museveni emphasised the importance of production and wealth creation as the foundation for national development.

“What we distribute—roads, schools, health, and security—comes from the wealth creators,” he said.

The President noted that Uganda has seen progress in moving its citizens into the money economy.

“Twelve years ago, 60% of the population were outside the money economy. Now, that number has dropped to 33%,” he said, encouraging the remainder to engage in productive sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, services, and ICT.

Museveni reaffirmed that the NRM’s development model is based on production before distribution, warning citizens not to be swayed by political “liars who just talk.”

“What we tell you is a reality,” he concluded. “Protect the gains, but also achieve the qualitative leap forward.”

The rally, held under the banner of continuity and transformation, served as a political launchpad for the 2026 elections, and a platform for policy assurance—particularly in the education sector.