Speaker Among Pledges Action as UNATU Petitions Parliament Over Teachers’ Salary Gaps
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Anita Annet Among, has pledged that Parliament will take action to address the growing pay disparities among teachers, following a petition from the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU).
The Speaker announced that the petition will be referred to the Committees on Education and Public Service for joint review and recommendations to the House. She also directed the Minister of Public Service to take immediate action on the issues raised, noting that the matter would be included in the upcoming budget framework discussions.
Among, who described herself as “a teacher by profession,” appealed to striking teachers to return to classrooms as Parliament and the Executive handle their grievances.
“You are very important people in this country because you impart knowledge to all of us,” she said. “I assure you Parliament will not let you down. Once the report is ready, we shall ensure your figures are included in the Budget Framework Paper.”
Speaker Among reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to ensuring that teachers’ salary concerns are addressed through the ongoing budgeting process.“We are already in the budgeting cycle. Once the committee presents its report, we shall ensure your figures are reflected in the budget,” she said. “Let us not paralyze the country. Go back and teach as we handle this matter together. You have a caring government and a President who values teachers.”
UNATU Decries Salary Inequalities
Presenting the petition, Mr. Filbert Baguma, UNATU’s General Secretary, expressed deep disappointment over the government’s failure to honour the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) signed with public service unions.
He said the government’s selective salary enhancements in 2022 created discriminatory pay gaps between science and arts teachers, calling the move “demoralizing.”
“Government chose to put aside the collective bargaining agreement and came up with a discriminatory scheme that created disparity in the teaching profession,” Mr. Baguma said. “Teachers performing the same duties and living under the same conditions now earn vastly different salaries.”
Wide Salary Gap Sparks Discontent
According to UNATU’s data, the lowest-paid primary school teacher earns a gross monthly salary of about UGX 499,684 (approximately UGX 410,000 after tax), while a primary head teacher takes home about UGX 690,000 after tax.
In contrast, a diploma-holding science teacher in post-primary education earns over UGX 2.2 million, even though both categories teach the same learners and face similar economic challenges.
“This disparity is not merely about remuneration,” Baguma emphasized. “It’s about sustaining quality education, ensuring teacher motivation, and protecting the future of Uganda’s learners.”
Union’s Demands
UNATU is demanding that government:
- Harmonizes salaries for all teachers, including those in arts and humanities, in line with the 2022/2023 financial year commitments.
- Provides a written and time-bound commitment to implement the agreed salary enhancements.
- Ensures full compliance with the Collective Bargaining Agreement to prevent future industrial unrest.
Baguma said the union’s demands are not exclusive benefits but “a fair measure to restore equity and professionalism” in the education sector.
“When teachers strike, Uganda’s learners and the nation’s future suffer with them,” he warned.
