Teachers under their Uganda National Teachers’ Association (UNATU) have called off their planned strike over salary increment after meeting President Museveni on Sunday 26th May at the Office of Prime Minister (OPM) in Kampala.
UNATU had called for industrial action starting Monday so as to compel Government to enhance teachers salaries to ensure that the least paid teacher earns a monthly wage of Shs 900,000.
However, after meeting with the President, UNATU members led by their national chairman, Zadock Tumuhimbise and secretary general, Filbert Baguma agreed that teachers suspend their planned strike for one term as Government continues mobilizing the required funds.
Baguma told Museveni that education and issues concerning teachers needed to be included among priority areas since education is the backbone of development.
He said teachers make all professions and therefore quality education begins with a well-trained, motivated and supported teacher.
Baguma also noted that the cost of living had gone up, saying teachers are struggling to cope with the Shs 469,350 salary that they earn.
In response, President Museveni stated that as teachers demand for salary enhancement, they should also discuss the source of the national income where revenue that generates salaries comes from.
“By 1987, the tax collection was Shs.5 billion. This is because there was nothing to tax as the economy had collapsed. In 2018 we collected seventeen thousand billion shillings because we now have factories that are producing goods for sale. Therefore, as the revenue improves, salaries of teachers and all civil servants will be enhanced. However, this will be gradual and therefore calls for patience,” said Museveni.
He added that rather than strike, teachers should seek for equitable salary structures for all civil servants through the establishment of a harmonized salaries board to balance salaries of all civil servants.
The officials and the teachers agreed to have a follow up meeting at the end of July for Government to make communication on the availability of money.
The meeting was also attended by the First Lady and Education minister Janet Museveni, Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda and State Minister for Planning David Bahati.
