Arts teachers in the Ankole region have announced plans to lay down their tools starting June 6, 2025, in protest over unresolved salary grievances.
The strike is expected to continue until their demands are included in the 2025/2026 national budget.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Arnest Bwambale, the regional coordinator of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU), during a press briefing held at Ntare Gardens in Mbarara City.
Currently, arts teachers with bachelor’s degrees earn a minimum monthly salary of Shs 960,288, while diploma holders receive Shs 745,000.
The teachers are now demanding a raise to Shs 4 million for degree holders and Shs 2.4 million for diploma holders, citing pay inequity compared to science teachers.
This industrial action follows a broader announcement made by UPHTU last month, highlighting longstanding issues of salary discrimination and unfulfilled government promises.
The union is calling for salary parity with science teachers and inclusion in the upcoming financial year’s salary allocation.
The strike notice is contained in a letter dated May 25, 2025, signed by UPHTU General Secretary Francis Mutesasira and Acting President Teopista Akello.
The letter has been addressed to District and Municipal Education Officers, RCCs, RDCs, DISOs, GISOs, head teachers of secondary schools, principals of NTCs and CPTCs, inspectors of schools, and the general public.
“This letter serves as official notice that we shall withdraw our labour effective June 6, 2025, in accordance with Article 40(3c) of the 1995 Uganda Constitution and Section 57 of the Labour Unions Act 2006, until all our grievances are addressed by our employer,” the letter reads in part.
The union also appealed for public support, stating: “We kindly welcome your support in the liberation of humanities teachers’ labour rights in Uganda. As a noble profession responsible for producing all other professions, we play a critical role in the socio-economic transformation of our society.”
UPHTU represents the interests of humanities teachers in post-primary and tertiary institutions and advocates for their welfare and rights.
The planned strike is expected to disrupt learning activities across the country, affecting thousands of students and educational institutions.
By press time, the government had not issued any statement in response to the union’s demands or acknowledged receipt of the strike notice.
