UNATU Suspends Strike, Gives Parliament Two Weeks to Address Salary Inequities

By Hannah Marion Namukasa
The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has suspended its month-long industrial action following a temporary understanding with Parliament over salary disparities between science and arts teachers.

During a press briefing held Thursday at UNATU headquarters in Kampala, General Secretary Filbert Baguma announced that the strike had been suspended—not ended—for two weeks, allowing Parliament time to address long-standing concerns.

“Teachers are patriotic citizens who have always chosen dialogue over confrontation,” Baguma said. “We are calling upon all teachers to return to their duty stations as we await the outcome of Parliament’s deliberations. However, we shall not hesitate to take further action if no tangible progress is made.”

The strike, which began last month, was triggered by the government’s decision to increase salaries exclusively for science teachers, excluding their counterparts in the arts and humanities. UNATU labeled the move discriminatory and divisive.

In response to the union’s demands, Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among recently directed the Education and Public Service Committees to investigate the issue and present their findings within two weeks. The union has agreed to give Parliament this period to make progress on the matter.

The decision to suspend the strike has drawn mixed reactions. While some teachers welcomed the move as a step toward resolution, others expressed skepticism, citing past unfulfilled promises.

“We’ve heard promises before that never materialized,” said one teacher after the meeting. “This time, we want to see action, not words.”

Several Members of Parliament representing workers—including Charles Bakabulindi, Agnes Kunihira, and Arinaitwe Rwakajara—attended the press conference and praised the teachers for choosing dialogue. They urged the government to act swiftly to prevent further disruption in the education sector.

UNATU emphasized that the suspension of the strike was a gesture of goodwill, not an end to their demands. The union warned it would resume industrial action if Parliament and the government fail to deliver meaningful outcomes within the agreed timeframe.

“Suspension of the industrial action does not mean surrender,” Baguma reiterated. “We are simply giving the authorities time to act in good faith.”

The temporary resolution brings some relief to thousands of students across the country who had been affected by the strike, with normal classroom activities expected to resume as discussions continue.