UNATU orders teachers to boycott classes over salaries

By Nasuru Hassan Ocen | UNATU orders government teachers never to enter class until the government enhances their salaries.

According to a letter dated September 11, 2025, General Secretary Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) Baguma Filbert Bates informed the leadership of districts, cities, municipalities and heads of education institutions that industrial action would resume on September 15, 2025 as schools reopen for the third term.

Baguma noted that they have repeatedly engaged the government on salary disparities which were created between some teachers from primary, post-primary schools and education institutions on salary enhancement implemented in fiscal year 2022/2023.

General Secretary Baguma advised RDCs, CAOs, Town and City clerks, DEOs, CEOs, MEOs, and other government agents never to intimidate, harass and threaten teachers simply because of their continued appeal for the government to address the unfair salary disparities in the teaching profession.

Furthermore, they advised parents and guardians not to send their children to school until the government takes concrete steps to resolve the salary disparities.

According to the letter, heads of education institutions or schools who will choose to keep learners at these institutions without teachers should be held accountable for whatever happens to any learners in this period.

The Chairperson Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) in charge of Dokolo branch, Joseph Omiat, noted that teachers will not enter class until the government solves the matter amicably. He urged all the parents to keep their children home for the safety of their children.

Omiat noted that industrial action will affect the performance of learners because the government is not responding to Union positivity. He appealed to the government to address the matter immediately.

He appealed to teachers to stay home without any intimidation, threats or harassment from any leaders because it is a national matter.

Denise Orit, the Assistant Principal Chief Administrative Officer for Dokolo, revealed that they have not received any documentation from the UNATU office concerning the industrial action.

Some of the schools in Dokolo district released their learners to go home after lunch by head teachers following the industrial action taken by teachers under their umbrella of UNATU.