Uganda government calls major summit with public-service unions to halt strikes over salaries and promotions

Kampala, Uganda
The Ministry of Public Service has convened a high-level meeting on 11 November 2025 with the leadership of major labour unions — including the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), the Uganda Local Government Workers’ Union and the Uganda Technical and Vocational Trainers Union — to address mounting grievances over pay disparities, stalled promotions and other career-system complaints.
Union leaders have in recent months staged industrial actions, warning that unless the government engages formally they may escalate to broad walkouts. The Ministry’s invitation signals a desire to negotiate early as pressure builds ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Why it matters:

Public-service pay and promotion issues impact teacher morale, service delivery (health, education, local government) and budget stability. In a country where public employment is a key livelihood route, these tensions can ripple into public-sector productivity and political risk.
What to watch:

Whether the meeting results in a binding agreement or simply a “memorandum of understanding”.

If unions announce timelines for further action (walk-outs, demonstrations) if demands are unmet.

Government inclusion of new budget allocations or payroll reforms for 2026 fiscal year.