Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has pledged Parliament’s commitment to address the ongoing teachers’ strike, assuring members of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) that their concerns over salary disparities will receive urgent attention.
Speaking on Tuesday while receiving a petition from UNATU, lead by their Secretary General, Baguma Filbert, Among acknowledged the long-standing issue of perceived preferential treatment between science and arts teachers, which has triggered a fresh wave of industrial action across the country.
“I am aware that there has been an outstanding matter of the perceived preferential treatment of some teaching cadres over others. Currently, a section of teachers are on strike pending Government action on the harmonization of their pay with their science counterparts,” she said.
The Speaker expressed concern that the persistence of the strike poses a serious threat to the education sector and the country’s broader Human Capital Development goals, urging all teachers stop go back to work.
“Parliament is concerned that the persistence of this industrial action threatens the future of our learners and impedes the realization of Government’s Human Capital Development targets,” she noted, emphasizing that “unhappy teachers cannot tutor happy learners.”
Among reaffirmed Parliament’s role as a people-centered institution, saying it would not only receive the petition but also take concrete steps to ensure it is addressed swiftly.
I will evoke Rule 31 of the Rules of Procedure of Parliament to cause the expeditious consideration of this Petition by the relevant agencies of Government,” she added.
The Speaker also noted that Parliament is still within the budget cycle, providing an opportunity to work closely with the Executive to explore possible adjustments to address their remuneration concerns.
“Given that the Budget Cycle is still at formulation stage, we commit to work hand-in-hand with the Executive to address the budget-related matters in your petition,” Among assured teachers.
She commended UNATU for opting for constructive engagement rather than confrontation, emphasizing dialogue as the most effective path toward a sustainable solution.
“I thank you for opting for constructive engagement over antagonism,” she said.
The teachers’ strike has left thousands of learners stranded as teachers push for pay harmonization with their science counterparts whose salaries were increased in previous budget allocations.
