Teachers of “Arts” subjects through their union Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union say they are giving up on the profession and could pay down their tools if their salary is not enhanced in the financial year 2025/2026.
We are not envious of science teachers. But we are saying we also have needs like them and conduct the same duration of lessons. We have given the government 90 days to come up with tangible solutions to enhance our salaries, or else we lay down tools as required by the Constitution,” Mr. Osenda Godfrey, the Union Chairperson, warned while addressing the media.
He added, “We are patriotic, but we have become a group of people the government is playing around with.”
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The acting president of the same union speaking at the same event criticised the government for freezing the salary enhancement plan.
“From 2018 to date, the said plan of enhancing arts teachers’ salaries has remained static. We are here praying for your intervention to ensure we are considered in the next financial year,” Ms. Akello pleaded with the government.
She cited challenges the arts teachers face while implementing the demanding new curriculum for lower secondary and called on the authorities to intervene and appreciate their contribution to the sector.
However, Ms. Grace Mary Mugasa, the State Minister of Public Service, in reaction to the demands, said enhancement of salaries is a government initiative and it would be done in a phased manner.
Ms. Mugisa said the 10-year pay plan was approved by Cabinet, and the implementation of salary enhancement commenced with the science cadre category and security organisation.
“We have also put in money for the 2025/2026 budget for enhancement in a phased manner for the Arts category. We request that our dear teachers and all the arts cadres remain calm and patient because salary enhancement is a commitment from the government, which will be implemented,” she said.
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