Government’s shifting goal post: “Killing teachers for us mentality”

The silence of some teachers amid their colleagues’ struggle roars louder than words. Its echo is too piercing to ignore.

Once, the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) stood as a united force, fiercely advocating for all educators, regardless of discipline. Now, the Uganda Professional Science Teachers Union (UPSTU) fractures that unity, flocking together like birds of a feather but bewildering the flock’s keeper.

It’s an “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” mindset, echoing George Orwell’s biting truth: “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

When the push for salary hikes began, it carried a “we’re in this together” spirit, as unyielding as a shot-put ball, with government promises of phased increases. Yet, in 2022, a presidential directive blindsided teachers: a 300-400% pay surge for science educators, soaring to UGX 4 million monthly, while humanities teachers languished at UGX 620,000-850,000.

This wasn’t part of the 2019 UNATU agreement or budgeted Indicative Planning Figures—just an “executive order” that shattered solidarity. Humanities teachers, now demanding parity, feel betrayed. Their pleas were drowned out by division.

Science teachers, like rats clutching a farmer’s diamond, remain trapped in the same crumbling education system that is disenfranchising their colleagues. The rise of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU) and UNATU’s weakened grip reveal a divide-and-rule strategy, with self-serving leaders corroding unions from within.

Once intellectual giants reasoning with clarity, teachers now turn on each other like mudfish trapped in a parched swamp, yearning for the next rainy season.

Article 21 of Uganda’s 1995 Constitution guarantees equality, yet government agents wield informal threats, framing salaries as privileges, not rights. Those in air-conditioned offices, earning eight-figure salaries, rarely champion budget commitments for teachers.

The government’s financial year 2026/27 pledge to harmonise salaries offers hope, with budget circulars issued, but scepticism persists. Past promises, like the 2011 50% hike or 2020’s stalled raises, have crumbled under fiscal excuses and no consideration in the Indicative Planning Figures (IPF) to the line ministry.

Article 40(3) of the Constitution, guarantees union formation for economic protection without discrimination; so, to reclaim their strength, unions must unite. UNATU, UPSTU, and UPHTU should rally Parliament’s Education Committee for transparent, binding budget allocations tied to the 2019 agreement.

As the salary saga unfolds, teachers must stand as one flock, not scatter in confusion. Only then can the negotiations bring justice, not more broken vows, ensuring no teacher is left clutching dust instead of dignity.

Omara R. Ronnie is an Administrator, Media Trainer & Journalist.