By The Minister of State for Public Service, Hon. Mary Grace Mugasa, has appealed to striking secondary school teachers of humanities to return to class, saying the government currently lacks funds to enhance their salaries due to budget constraints.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Uganda Media Centre, Hon. Mugasa acknowledged the long-standing grievances of arts teachers but said government salary enhancement plans had been delayed due to spillover effects from previous adjustments made in the 2023–2024 financial year.
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“We had planned to enhance salaries across the board in the 2024 2025 financial year,” she said. “But the enhancement for scientists in 2023 spilled over into this year’s budget. As a result, cadres like humanities have not yet benefited.”
The minister noted that the current national budget is heavily focused on preparations for the forthcoming general elections, leaving no fiscal room for immediate salary increases.
Despite acknowledging the legitimacy of the teachers’ concerns, she stressed that continued absence from duty would jeopardize not only their jobs but also the future of learners in public schools.
“Government is not going to wait. Exams will be given, and no affirmative action will be applied to government schools,” Mugasa warned. “It’s the children of poor Ugandans who will suffer. The rich have already taken theirs to private schools.”
She urged teachers to recognise the honour that comes with public service and compared their remuneration with that in private schools, where she said teachers earn as little as UGX 300,000–400,000 per month but continue to work.
“If we say we are teaching humanities, we should be human enough to know we are punishing the children and their parents not the government,” she said.
Mugasa also cautioned that continued industrial action could result in job losses, especially given that many trained graduates are willing to take up teaching roles. She revealed that several young volunteers are already working in schools while waiting for formal appointments.
“If you’re not in class, you risk your job. Others are ready to take up those positions,” she said.
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She also recalled a recent engagement between the striking teachers and First Lady Janet Museveni, who is also the Minister of Education and Sports, during which government made clear that salary enhancements could only begin in the next financial year, starting September 2025.
“We promised that starting in the new financial year, we shall prioritise their pay. The budgeting process begins then,” Mugasa added.
Her remarks come amid a wave of strikes by teachers of humanities across several districts, demanding equitable treatment and fulfillment of government promises on salary harmonisation.
