By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
The Ministry of Public Service has officially responded to the nationwide teachers strike under UNATU that started on the 15th September, 2025.
Addressing the concern, the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Muruli Mukasa, alongside officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, spoke to the Media in the afternoon of Thursday, 18th September, 2025.
HERE IS FULL STATEMENT
The Ministry of Public Service received a notice from Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) dated 25th August 2025 and a follow-up letter dated 10th September 2025 demanding that the Government enhances the salary of all teachers (1/2)
In primary and Post Primary schools and education institutions who were not enhanced in FY 2022/2023.
The Minister of Public Service together with the Ministries of Education and Sports, and Mistry of Gender, Labour and Social Development held discussion with UNATU Leadership on Tuesday 16th September 2025 to respond to the grievances they had raised.
I wish to inform all Public Officers (UNATU inclusive) that the Government has been fulfilling its commitment towards ensuring that Public Officers are paid a competitive enhanced salary in a phased manner.
This is evidenced in the approval of the pay policy principles as well as the long-term pay plan/targets covering all Public Officers paid salary or allowances from the consolidated fund or out of money appropriated by Parliament.
As a result Ugx. 2.5 Trillion has been committed to salary enhancement since FY 2018/2019.
Throughout the enhancement journey, the Government has maintained a cordial relationship with the Public Service Labour Unions and especially UNATU.
Muruli Mukasa noted that while the government continues to fulfill its promises to workers amidst economic challenges, the teachers’ strike that began on Sept 15, 2025, before discussions had even started, is “uncalled for” and risks straining ties with UNATU.
Currently, the size of the Public Service stands at 368,291 personnel. As of July 2024, a total of 125,276 Public Officers had benefited from enhancements since FY 2017/2018.
Of these, 60,077 Public Officers excluding the Uganda People’s Defence Forces currently earn 77% of the approved long term pay targets while 66% of the Public Officers have not received any salary adjustment since FY 2014/2015.
The Teachers are among the Public Officers who have had salary enhancement and therefore are not among the 66% Public Officers who have not been enhanced since FY 2014/2015.
We would like to state that compared to other public officers at the same rank, Teachers are among the better-paid Public Officers in the Ugandan Public Service compared to the remuneration of other Public Officers.
H.E. the President met the representatives of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union at State House, Entebbe on 29th June, 2025. During the engagement, His Excellency the President reiterated Government’s commitment to improving the welfare of all Teachers.
He pledged to pursue collective solutions, including; a phased salary increment with a commitment to enhance the salary of Humanity Teachers by 25% of the 77% approved long-term pay targets in FY 2026/2027.
The Ministry determined financial requirements for enhancement of the Humanity Teachers as well as for Public Universities, Primary School Teachers & other Public Officers who are earning below 25% of the 77% approved long-term pay targets amounting to Ugx. 1.4 Trillion.
This has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development for consideration in the budget for FY 2026/2027.
The budgeting process for FY 2026/2027 has just commenced with the budget conference, budget negotiations, and countrywide stakeholders’ consultation on the budget priorities.
The Ministry already submitted the enhancement requirements for FY 2026/2027 which includes the requirement for all teachers who are below the 25% threshold.
We therefore appeal to the Leadership of UNATU, teachers and all other Public Officers to remain calm and continue serving the country with the zeal and commitment they have always exhibited as we implement the enhancement in a phased approach.
