Science teachers appeal to govt for protective wear, tools

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The Uganda Professional Science Teachers Union (UPSTU) has appealed to the government to provide protective wear to sustain the growing number of scientists.

The secretary general of the union, Aron Mugaiga, said that since the government enhanced salaries for science teachers, student performance has improved, with female students performing better than their male counterparts.

Mugaiga said that in order to sustain the development of scientists, the government should ease taxation on protective wear and tools used in their work to increase supplies, noting that some of the tools and chemicals they use require maximum protection.

Mugaiga made the remarks during the union’s third delegates' annual general meeting, attended by members from all 15 UPSTU sub-regions, on April 11, 2026, in Kampala.

He said working in laboratories is sometimes very risky and commended the UNEB report released after the Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) and Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results, which showed an improvement in science performance.

Mugaiga added that although science teachers benefited from salary enhancement, they are pleased that the government has also agreed to improve the salaries of humanities teachers.

He said the salary enhancement has led to an increase in motivated teachers, with science teachers dedicating more time to learners and focusing on their areas of deployment.

“We thank the government for constantly improving the schools, the construction of more buildings with laboratories and much as they are still asking for more, the government has put in a lot of effort,” he said.

Vincent Elong, the national chairman of UPSTU, said the union has performed well, with membership rising to 15,000 since its registration in 2021, which he noted is uncommon among unions.

Secretary General of Union (UPSTU) Aron Mugaiga (right) interacting with Vincent Elong (left), the national chairman of UPSTU. (Credit: Wilfred Sanya)

Elong said the annual general meeting provides a platform to discuss matters affecting the union and to account for performance, as it is a member-based organisation funded by its members.

“In the five years of our operation, we have been able to save money and buy a storied building at Makerere and shall shift from renting shortly. We expect to start building our regional offices so that we can save on what we are spending on rent,” he said.

He explained that since the creation of the union, they have mobilised teachers, leading to improved science performance.

Elong added that science performance is improving in schools and should be sustained.

He noted that before the formation of the union, science performance at universities stood at only 14 percent but has since improved, with more female students taking up science subjects due to mentorship programmes.

He said that last year the union approved a budget of sh3.9 billion and expects a slight increase this year due to ongoing activities.

“Ever since the salary enhancement, we have had challenges of some people making the status of our people difficult, making the working conditions not to be favourable. Most of our members are committed to work,” Elong noted.

He added that some members face victimisation and unfair transfers to unfamiliar areas, stressing that while they do not oppose transfers, these should be handled properly.

Gideon Ahimbisibwe of Rwanyama Seed School in Mbarara district, representing science teachers, urged colleagues to adopt effective teaching and supervision methods and encouraged them to join the union.

He called on chief administrative officers and the Public Service to stop frustrating newly recruited teachers in seed schools and instead streamline their salaries to improve the teaching of science subjects.