Arts teachers call off strike after govt pay pledge

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Arts and humanities teachers across Uganda have called off their nationwide strike, ending over three weeks of industrial action that had crippled learning for thousands of students.

The decision follows a meeting with President Museveni at State House, where the Government committed to a phased salary enhancement starting in the next financial year (2026/2027).

Public Service Minister Muruli Mukasa announced the end of the strike during a joint media conference on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, alongside ministers of education and finance.

"The industrial action has come to an end following a productive meeting with the teachers' leadership at State House," Mukasa said.

The teachers, represented by the Uganda Arts Teachers Association (UATA), agreed to resume work after the Government pledged to allocate 25% of the sh500b required for their salary enhancement, spread over four years.

"The Government has agreed to pay 25 per cent of the sh500b required, spread over four years starting next year," planning state minister Amos Lugolobi said, adding that the commitment also includes a promise to provide housing for all teachers.

Higher education state minister Dr Chrysostom Muyingo urged teachers to return to classrooms immediately.

"We have agreed that teachers start going back to school and cover for the lost time," he said.

Wilson Muruli Mukasa the Minister for Public Service addressing journalists as Chrysestom Muyingo Minister of State for higher Education, Amos Lugolobi Minister of State for Planning and other officials look on. This was during a press conference at the Uganda Media Centre on July 1, 2025. (Photo by Nancy Nanyonga)

The strike, which began on June 6, 2025, was sparked by long-standing grievances over what teachers described as "dignity-stripping" low pay and inequitable salary payment compared to their science counterparts.

Currently, a graduate arts teacher in secondary school earns approximately shillings 1,078,162 monthly, while a diploma holder earns shillings 784,214.

Science teachers, in contrast, earn significantly more, with some earning up to four million.

For over five weeks, educators endured financial strain and public scrutiny, standing firm in their demand for improved remuneration. The industrial action had brought learning to a standstill, particularly for students preparing for national examinations.

UATA leadership confirmed their decision to oblige the President’s call to return to work, a move that averts a looming crisis and clears the way for classes to resume and for teachers to begin marking pending Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) scripts.

This is expected to prevent delays in national exam results for thousands of students.

As teachers prepare to return to their classrooms, attention now shifts to the government’s implementation of its pledges.

The critical question remains: Will these commitments usher in a new era of respect and support for Uganda’s educators, or will they, like many promises before them, fade? For now, teachers, weary but hopeful, are watching closely.