EDITOR
Arts teachers in the Ankole region have announced a sit-down strike starting June 6, 2025, to protest what they describe as longstanding salary grievances and discrimination.
The announcement was made on Tuesday during a press briefing held at Ntare Gardens in Mbarara City by Arnest Bwambale, the regional coordinator of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU). The strike is set to continue until their demands are addressed in the 2025/2026 national budget.
Currently, arts teachers with bachelor’s degrees earn a minimum of Shs 960,288 per month, while those with diplomas receive Shs 745,000. The teachers are demanding a raise to Shs 4 million for degree holders and Shs 2.4 million for diploma holders, citing glaring disparities when compared to their counterparts in the science disciplines.
The planned industrial action follows a broader call made by UPHTU last month, urging the government to end salary discrimination and honor earlier commitments to the teaching fraternity.
The strike notice is detailed in a letter dated May 25, 2025, signed by UPHTU General Secretary Francis Mutesasira and Acting President Teopista Akello. The letter has been circulated to District and Municipal Education Officers, Resident City and District Commissioners, Internal and Government Security Officers, head teachers, principals of National Teachers’ Colleges and Core Primary Teachers’ Colleges, school inspectors, and the general public.
The union insists that until salary parity with science teachers is realized, they will not return to class.
