TEACHERS DEFY PRESIDENTIAL DIRECTIVE, VOW TO CONTINUE INDUSTRIAL ACTION

UNATU’s general Secretary Filbert Baguma

By Martin Anguyo
Arua City

Amid the directive from the President of the Republic of Uganda ordering teachers to return to classrooms or risk losing their jobs, arts teachers under the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) have vowed to continue with their industrial action over salary disparities.
 
The teachers, who have been on strike demanding pay equity with their science counterparts, insist that they will not resume work until the government provides a satisfactory response to their long-standing demands.
 
UNATU’s General Secretary, Filbert Baguma, stated that teachers have been patient for years, but their grievances have continuously been ignored.
 
“What we want this time is a clear and conclusive answer—an answer that has been denied to us for far too long,” Baguma emphasized.
He also urged UNATU members across the country to remain united and resilient as they press for fair treatment from the government.
 
Meanwhile, Hon. Geoffrey Feta, the Member of Parliament for Ayivu East Constituency, called for dialogue and understanding between the government and teachers.
 
“It would be more constructive for the government to address this issue amicably rather than through threats and intimidation,” Feta advised.
 
While addressing residents of Lango on Tuesday evening this week, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni dismissed the ongoing strike as “selfish and misplaced.” He reiterated that the government has a long-term plan to harmonize salaries across the public service, but emphasized that the process would be implemented gradually and in line with national priorities.