Parliament will today  (Wednesday, July 6) discuss the pay for public officers. 

This follows the recent industrial action by Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU).

The House chaired by Anita Among on Tuesday directed the Minister of Public Service Muruli Mukasa to present a comprehensive statement on the matter.

This was after MPs demanded a debate on the matter. During the plenary, Opposition whip John Nambeshe argued that the selective salary enhancement for teachers was discriminatory in nature and has opened a paradox box.

“Government is even on notice on issues of strike and we are likely to have many more including that from health workers,” he said.

Dokolo Woman MP Cecilia Ogwal raised an issue of salary disparities between Arts and Science teachers which resulted in recent industrial action by Arts teachers.

“There is even a situation where the salary of a science teacher doubles the one of the headteacher.”

But Speaker Among halted the debate guiding that the matter will be comprehensively discussed when the Minister of Education brings a report to the House.

“We want to understand this kind of inequality because not all of us are science people but we are here," she said.

The teachers after meeting President Yoweri Museveni heeded to the call to go back to class, ending a 20-day strike that had paralysed teaching in majority of public schools.

The leaders announced the suspension of the strike a few hours after the meeting at Kololo Ceremonial Ground. The president informed the teachers that while the government acknowledges the issues raised by the Arts teachers, the government is also aware of salary issues from other workers who are equally important to the growth and development of the country.

The President said the teachers’ issues will be handled but in a phased manner.

According to the Order Paper, the House is also scheduled to debate a motion for the adoption of the report of the committee of health to selected health facilities in Busoga, Elgon, Bukedi, Ankole and Buganda sub-regions to access the state of health service delivery.

It will also discuss a motion for a resolution of parliament urging government to prioritize investment in health centre IVs by MP Charles Ayume, MP Koboko Municipality, seconded by MP Silas Aogon, MP Kumi Municipality.