KAMPALA, Uganda — Speaker of Parliament Anita Annet Among has committed Parliament to urgently address the ongoing nationwide teachers’ strike, assuring members of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) that their grievances over salary disparities will receive immediate attention.
The Speaker made the pledge on Tuesday while receiving a petition from the UNATU leadership, headed by Secretary General Filbert Baguma.
The industrial action, which has left thousands of learners stranded across the country, was triggered by perceived preferential pay treatment between science and arts teachers.
Among acknowledged the root of the dispute, stating: “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.”
Expressing deep concern over the disruption, the Speaker aMONG urged all striking teachers to return to work, noting the severe implications for national goals.
“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, adding the principle that “unhappy teachers cannot tutor happy learners.”
Reaffirming Parliament’s commitment as a people-centered institution, Among promised concrete action beyond simply receiving the petition.
She confirmed the use of parliamentary procedure to accelerate consideration of the matter: “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.”
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The Speaker also highlighted that the ongoing budget formulation cycle presents a crucial opportunity for resolution.
“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 the teachers.
She commended the Union’s approach, praising them for prioritizing discussion over confrontation. “I thank you for opting for constructive engagement over antagonism,” she concluded, emphasizing dialogue as the path toward a sustainable solution.
The industrial action began after previous budget allocations increased salaries for science counterparts without comparable adjustments for arts teachers.
