The Ugandan government has issued a stern warning to striking teachers and local government workers planning industrial action, declaring the strikes illegal. Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa set a one-week deadline for all participants to return to their duties, cautioning that failure to comply will be treated as voluntary resignation. Authorities emphasized that disciplinary measures will be enforced where necessary.
In Kampala, Mukasa noted that the government remains committed to improving public officers’ welfare, including teacher salaries, through phased increases. However, he described the current strikes as premature and procedurally invalid, threatening the long-standing cooperative relationship between the government and labor unions.
The Ministry of Public Service highlighted that since the 2018/2019 financial year, Shs 2.5 trillion has been invested in salary increments for key sectors, including education, health, infrastructure, innovation, economic recovery, and security. By July 2024, 125,276 public officers had received salary adjustments, while 66% of staff have not seen increases since 2014.
The government acknowledged that further improvements are needed, with ongoing salary negotiations. Proposals for enhancing teacher pay, particularly for humanities teachers, are scheduled for the 2026/2027 financial year. Phased salary increases are also planned for primary teachers and other public sector staff whose pay remains below 25% of approved long-term targets, and these have been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the budget.
Mukasa clarified that no union had followed the proper legal procedure to initiate strikes, as none obtained the required certificate from the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council. The 90-day strike notices submitted by the unions were invalid, rendering the industrial action unlawful from the start.
All public servants involved in the strikes have been ordered to resume work within one week. Failure to comply will be treated as abandonment of duty, with those affected considered to have resigned. District and city officials have been tasked with monitoring compliance and enforcing disciplinary measures where necessary.
The government emphasized that salary enhancements will continue in a phased, consultative manner consistent with the country’s financial capacity. Public servants are urged to remain dedicated to their duties while awaiting lawful adjustments.
The firm government stance and refusal to immediately meet all salary demands could heighten tensions, but authorities insist that resolution must follow legal and negotiated channels. The outcome of this dispute may influence future relations between public servants and the government.
As the one-week deadline approaches, the focus now turns to whether teachers will comply with the ultimatum or escalate the standoff further.
