KAMPALA. Teachers under their umbrella, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu ) have threatened to lay down their tool over government’s inaction to address “unfair salary disparities” in the teaching profession.
The nationwide industrial action which start on Monday, September 15, 2025 will coincide with the official opening date of the third term-something that may paralysis normal operations of public schools across the country .
The disgruntled teachers took the decision after a series of meetings by the Unatu ’s National Executive Council (NEC) on September 10 and Branch Chairpersons on September 11.
According to Unatu General Secretary Filbert Baguma , they have exhausted all avenues of dialogue, including written appeals to President Museveni , the Office of the Head of Public Service, and the Ministries of Public Service and Education, but no progress has been made on their demands for salary enhancement for teachers left out during the 2022/2023 pay rise.
“Our industrial action over the same issue was only suspended on July 4, 2022, to allow for negotiations. Since then, nothing tangible has been done. This time round, let the empty classrooms speak for us,” Baguma told Journalists in Kampala on Thursday .
The teachers argue that while some of their colleagues enjoyed up to a 300 percent salary increment three years ago, the majority in primary and post-primary schools have remained excluded and they accuse the government of making empty promises while ignoring repeated calls for equity and fairness.
“All Unatu members in the affected categories will not report for duty when schools reopen,” the statement reads in part . The union emphasized that the strike is non-political, lawful, peaceful, and focused solely on achieving fair treatment.
“On Monday, 15th September 2025, let every affected teacher, in every corner of Uganda, remain at home. By staying away from school, we will send a clear and unmistakable message to Government that teachers cannot and will not continue to be ignored when they are contributors to nation building.”
Unatu ’s action threatens to paralyze learning across the country as schools open for the final and most crucial term of the academic year, which includes national examinations for Primary Seven, Senior Four, and Senior Six candidates.
The strike also risks prolonging disruptions to the school calendar that has only recently stabilized after the COVID-19 pandemic and previous industrial disputes.
The union has urged government to urgently reopen talks and provide a “concrete and verifiable” commitment to end disparities, warning that the strike will remain in force until teachers’ demands are addressed.
“We urge government to urgently engage with the Union and provide a clear commitment to resolve this matter in order to avert prolonged disruption of the school calendar especially at such a critical time.”