By John Ogulei
SOROTI
Science teachers in Teso Sub Region have decided to end their relationship with Uganda National Teachers Union-UNATU and instead join Uganda Professional Science Teachers Union-UPSTU.
The teachers made their statement of intent in a meeting held yesterday 4th November 2021 at Nature Gardens in Soroti City.
UNATU has been has been in existence since 2006 and with over 140,000 members. It is the largest and oldest teachers union in the country.
One of the major roles of UNATU is collective bargaining and promoting the attractiveness of the teaching profession.
However in 2018, Science teachers broke away from UNATU accusing the union of sabotage and betraying their demand for a better pay that hence led to the creation of UPSTU.
Science teachers say they are finding it hard not to blame UNATU for the interference with the salary increment process for the scientists in the teaching profession.
Under their umbrella body, Uganda professional science teachers Union -UPSTU, they are convinced that the Uganda National Teachers Union -UNATU has been at the forefront of blocking them from enjoying the salary increment targeting scientists in all government employment sectors.
President Museveni is on record when it comes to advocating for the scientists to be paid highly but also the government in 2010 came up with a policy that gave a top up allowance of 30% for scientists that was effected in 2012 and later consolidated into a salary structure in 2014.
Daniel Omoding, the Regional Coordinator for UPSTU says that together with other science teachers, they will give UPSTU a stronger voice to make demands for their wellbeing.
He hopes the association will negotiate with the government to honor its promise concerning increment of salaries for science teachers as earlier pledged by President Museveni.
Wepukhulu Samuel, the National Secretary for Welfare and Dispute Settlement at UPSTU says as scientists in the teaching profession under their union they are not going to look on as the UNATU leaders continue to sabotage them hence vowing to fight for their rights through their Union but also calling upon fellow teachers to embrace the initiative positively as it’s a milestone to the teaching profession in total.
He indicated that they have had enough of the sabotage and are ready to defend their rights under their union that was fully established in 2021.
He further explains that as scientists in the teaching profession they have only enjoyed the 30% increment that was effected in 2012 for scientists however, when it came to the 98 billion that was earmarked by government in the financial year 2017/18 to enhance the salaries of all scientists, teachers did not benefit due to UNATU sabotage.
