The Kabale District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Catherine Ndamira, has questioned the Government’s consistency on teacher welfare after it claimed to lack funds to enhance salaries despite announcing plans to recruit 50,000 additional teachers.
Her concerns came after the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Muruli Mukasa, told Parliament’s Committee on Local Government that Government could not meet striking teachers’ salary demands because it currently funds only 31% of the national budget, relying heavily on loans and grants to cover the rest.
The Minister was responding to MPs’ inquiries during a session held on 1st October 2025, where the Committee was considering the Human Resource Management Professionals Bill, 2025. Legislators sought updates on negotiations with teachers under the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), who went on strike over unfulfilled salary enhancement commitments made in 2019.
Hon. Ndamira challenged the Minister to explain how Government intended to pay 50,000 new recruits if it was already struggling with the existing workforce.
“Some children in private schools lack nothing, even government teachers take their children there,” she said. “Is it intentional to sideline learners in public schools? The President promised to recruit 50,000 teachers, yet you say those already in service are not adequately paid. Who is confusing who?”
In response, Minister Muruli assured MPs that the recruitment of 50,000 teachers would proceed in the 2026/27 financial year and that both their salaries and those of the striking teachers would be catered for.
“It is not government’s intention to disadvantage children in public schools,” he said. “Even during the strike, teachers will continue receiving their pay. The issue is not about whether to pay, but how much.”
He reiterated that while Government plans to increase salaries by 25% in the next financial year, teachers are demanding a 300% rise, which he said is unsustainable.
Muruli further noted that teachers have already benefited more than most civil servants in past salary reviews, citing increases from UGX 200,000 to over UGX 600,000 for primary teachers and up to UGX 4 million for science teachers.
The Minister also appealed to the striking teachers to show patience, revealing that Government has injected UGX 40 billion into teachers’ SACCOs and is considering offering free education to up to four biological children of each teacher.
He added that Government is revamping its policy to provide staff accommodation for teachers, health workers, and security personnel.
Meanwhile, MPs such as Isaac Modoi (Lutseshe County) called for harmonisation of salaries across the public service to address disparities between arts and science teachers. In response, Muruli said discussions were underway with the Ministry of Finance to explore possible relief measures, including scrapping Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes on teachers.
Despite the Minister’s reassurances, pressure continues to mount on Government to align its promises with realistic funding plans as learners across the country remain home due to the strike.
