NICHOLAS A
Teachers from the Kigezi sub-region under their umbrella body, the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union, have announced plans to lay down their tools over persistent salary disparities between Arts and Science teachers.
During a press conference held at New Vienna Guest House in Kekubo, Kirigime Ward, Southern Division, Kabale Municipality, the union leadership expressed deep frustration over what they termed as years of neglect and unfair salary structures.
Julius Niwomugabe, the Kigezi regional chairperson of the union, decried the continued imbalance in remuneration, stating that the rising cost of living is making it difficult for Arts teachers to survive. He warned that if their concerns are not addressed in the 2025/2026 financial year budget, they will commence industrial action starting 6th June this year.
Patience Uwimana, the union’s deputy regional coordinator, noted that the disparity in pay has eroded the respect of Arts teachers among their Science counterparts and even students, yet both groups share similar responsibilities and expenses.
Meanwhile, Tonny Behika, the union’s national secretary for mobilization, planning, and organization, emphasized that previous engagements with the Ministry of Education and Sports have not yielded meaningful results. He reiterated the union’s stand on salary enhancement and insisted that no further negotiations would be entertained unless the government fulfills their demand.
The union has resolved to proceed with an industrial strike should the government fail to address their concerns in the forthcoming budget.
