UNATU Declares Strike as Schools Reopen for Third Term
Teachers across Uganda will not report to classrooms when third term opens on September 15, 2025, after the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) voted to launch a nationwide strike over salary disparities.
The decision was reached after the union’s National Executive Council met on September 10, followed by a meeting of branch chairpersons on September 11.
UNATU says government ignored appeals to harmonize pay for all teachers, leaving thousands excluded from the 2022/2023 salary enhancements, while some colleagues received increases of up to 300%.
General Secretary Filbert Baguma accused government of making endless promises without action.
“For three years, while some of our colleagues have enjoyed a 300% salary increment, the rest of us have been left with nothing but empty promises. Three years of waiting, three years of frustration, three years of watching others move ahead while we are told to ‘wait.’ The answer is clear—if we are not happy with this unfairness, our action will speak louder than words,” he said.
Baguma added: “On 15th September, let every affected teacher, in every corner of Uganda, remain at home. Our absence will send a clear and unmistakable message to government that teachers cannot and will not continue to be ignored.”
UNATU stressed that the strike is non-political, peaceful, and lawful, rooted in the call for fairness across the teaching profession.
The union recalled suspending its 2022 strike to allow talks, but three years later no solution has been reached despite engagements with the President’s Office, the Head of Public Service, and relevant ministries.
This time, Baguma warned, the action will not end until government acts. “We have tried to speak up through letters and other formal requests for audience but government has not listened.
This time round, let the empty classrooms speak for us. Let our absence from the school compounds be louder than the excuses from government. Remember this: ‘Three years, no justice – our silence ends now!’”
The strike threatens to disrupt the school term nationwide, putting candidates preparing for national examinations at risk of major setbacks.
