Government Appeals for Calm as Teachers’ Strike Enters Day Four
Hon. Muruli stressed that government has been steadily implementing salary enhancements across the public service. “I wish to inform all public officers, UNATU inclusive, that government has been fulfilling its commitment towards ensuring that public officers are paid a competitive enhanced salary in a phased manner,” he said.
The Minister of Public Service, Hon. Muruli Mukasa, has appealed to striking teachers to return to class, emphasizing that government is committed to addressing their salary concerns under an ongoing phased enhancement plan.
Addressing the press at the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, September 18, 2025, Hon. Muruli, flanked by officials from the Prime Minister’s Office, outlined government’s efforts to fulfill its commitments to public officers, including teachers. He said the strike, which began on September 15, 2025, was “uncalled for” as negotiations were already underway.
UNATU’s Demands
The Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) wrote to the Ministry of Public Service on August 25, 2025, and again on September 10, demanding that government enhance salaries for all teachers in primary, post-primary schools, and other educational institutions who were not covered in the 2022/2023 financial year salary adjustments.
Following these demands, government held discussions with UNATU leadership on September 16, 2025, alongside the Ministries of Education and Sports, and Gender, Labour and Social Development, to respond to the issues raised.
Government’s Position on Salary Enhancements
Hon. Muruli stressed that government has been steadily implementing salary enhancements across the public service.
“I wish to inform all public officers, UNATU inclusive, that government has been fulfilling its commitment towards ensuring that public officers are paid a competitive enhanced salary in a phased manner,” he said.
According to the minister, since the 2018/2019 financial year, government has committed a total of UGX 2.5 trillion towards salary enhancements. Currently, the public service workforce stands at 368,291 personnel, with 125,276 officers having benefited from enhancements since FY 2017/2018.
Of these, 60,077 officers (excluding the UPDF) now earn 77% of the approved long-term pay targets, while 66% of public officers have not received any salary adjustment since FY 2014/2015.
“The teachers are among those who have benefited from salary enhancements and therefore are not part of the 66% of officers who have not seen adjustments since 2014/2015,” Muruli clarified.
Teachers “Among the Better Paid”
The minister added that compared to other officers at the same rank, teachers are “among the better-paid public officers in the Ugandan public service.”
He pointed out that government remains committed to addressing remaining salary gaps and called on teachers to exercise patience as the process unfolds.
President Museveni’s Commitment
Hon. Muruli recalled President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s meeting with representatives of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union on June 29, 2025, at State House, Entebbe.
During the meeting, the President reiterated government’s commitment to improve the welfare of all teachers and pledged a 25% enhancement for humanities teachers in FY 2026/2027, raising them closer to the approved 77% long-term pay targets.
Roadmap for 2026/2027 Enhancements
The Ministry of Public Service has already determined financial requirements for salary enhancements for humanities teachers, public universities, primary school teachers, and other officers earning below 25% of the 77% long-term pay targets. This amounts to UGX 1.4 trillion and has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the FY 2026/2027 budget.
The budgeting process, which has just commenced, will involve budget conferences, negotiations, and nationwide consultations on priorities.
Hon. Muruli appealed to teachers and their unions to maintain patience as the government follows through with the phased approach.
“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,” he said.
While negotiations continue, the government has warned that the ongoing strike could strain its previously cordial relationship with UNATU.
