Teachers go on Strike over Salary Enhancement

By Dibaba

URN/Dibaba

Teachers under the Uganda National Teachers Union UNATU have gone on strike. The teachers declared a nationwide strike at all levels demanding equality and harmonization of the salary enhancement among teachers of different subjects. The strike follows the government's decision to increase the salaries of science teachers up to 4 million shillings and disregard the art teachers. At many primary and secondary schools across the country, there were no lessons taking place. In primary schools in Kampala and surrounding areas, some schools were open while others were closed. Some learners could be seen playing in the school compound while the classrooms remained closed. The learners did not know that the teachers were on strike. In Greater Masaka, learners reported empty classrooms after their teachers failed to show up.

Francis Ssematimba, the UNATU Chairperson for Masaka City says that they asked all the teachers to keep away from schools. Mathias Male, the UNATU Chairperson in Ssembabule District says his office is also delivering letters to the local authorities communicating the industrial action. This is not the first time that teachers under UNATU have laid down their tools over salary enhancements. In 2011, they organized a sit-down strike requesting a 100 percent salary increment.