The government is set to enhance and equalize the salaries of Arts teachers with those of their Science counterparts beginning in the next financial year, State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi has revealed.
While speaking at a fundraising event organized by Kakore Rugambwa Catholic Parish in Rubanda District on Monday, Musasizi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Rubanda East, said President Yoweri Museveni had directed government to address the long-standing salary disparities between Arts and Science teachers.
Without disclosing specific figures, Musasizi explained that the move is intended to ensure both categories of teachers receive equal pay, bringing an end to years of complaints over unequal remuneration.
CUE IN MUSASIZI….ON TEACHERS SALARIES…..RR//
Teopista Akello, President of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers’ Union (UPHTU), said the union had been briefed about the development but was still awaiting official salary figures from the Ministry of Public Service.
She revealed that union leaders held a meeting with President Museveni and officials from line ministries on March 10, 2026, although at the time, the Ministry of Finance had indicated that there were no available funds to facilitate the enhancements.
Akello noted that humanities teachers had planned to resume industrial action until two weeks ago, when the Ministry of Finance communicated the President’s directive. She added that the union had earlier been informed of a phased salary increment of 25 percent annually over the next four years.
She added that the planned industrial action was suspended following the directive, but emphasized that it has not been called off pending confirmation of the final figures from the Ministry of Public Service.
Akello stressed that the ministry remains responsible for developing and implementing policies related to teachers’ pay and benefits, including salary adjustments.
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Similarly, the Secretary General of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), Filbert Baguma Bates, said he was only aware of the earlier proposal to increase Arts teachers’ salaries by 25 percent over four years.
He, however, noted that as the Constitutional Minister of Finance, the President has the authority to direct changes in budget priorities.
Baguma added that since 2022, when calls for salary enhancements intensified, the quality of teaching had declined due to low morale among Arts teachers.
He welcomed the government’s renewed commitment to addressing the disparities, noting that while the intervention may come late, it is a step in the right direction for the education sector.
