Striking Teachers Face Job Loss as Government Issues Firm Return-to-Work Order

The Ugandan government has issued a firm ultimatum to teachers currently on strike: return to your classrooms immediately or be considered as having quit your jobs.

Speaking during a press conference on Thursday, the Minister of Public Service, Muruli Mukasa, warned that the government would not tolerate continued absenteeism. He emphasized that those who fail to report for duty risk being permanently replaced.

“If you don’t return to class, it means you are no longer interested in the job, and you will have dismissed yourself. Action will be taken to fill your gap. I am saying, go back to work immediately. I’m appealing to you, go back,” Mukasa stated.

The ongoing strike has affected thousands of learners across primary and secondary schools, as well as institutions of higher learning. The industrial action, which is being spearheaded by the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU), is rooted in teachers’ demands for salary enhancements.

UNATU officially notified the Ministry of Public Service about the intended strike on August 25, 2025. This was followed by a second communication on September 10, reminding the government of its unmet obligations and reiterating the union’s demand for a fair pay rise.

Despite attempts at dialogue, negotiations between the union and government representatives have not yielded a resolution. On September 16, leaders from UNATU met with officials from the Ministries of Public Service, Education and Sports, and Gender, Labour and Social Development. However, the discussions ended in a deadlock, with both sides standing their ground.

The demand for salary enhancement is not new. Earlier this year, on June 29, President Yoweri Museveni met with representatives from the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU) at State House in Entebbe. During the meeting, the president acknowledged the concerns of humanities teachers and pledged to improve their pay through a phased implementation plan. Museveni committed to a 25 percent increment on the approved 77 percent long-term salary target, beginning in the 2026/2027 financial year.

However, fulfilling this promise comes at a high cost. According to the Ministry of Public Service, the total funding needed to meet salary enhancement targets for humanities teachers, primary school staff, public university workers, and other public officers earning below 25 percent of the pay target stands at approximately UGX 1.4 trillion. This funding request has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for inclusion in the upcoming national budget.

Even with this financial burden acknowledged, Minister Muruli Mukasa insisted that teachers must return to work without further delay. He warned that failure to report to duty would be treated as abandonment of post, and vacancies left by striking staff would be promptly filled.

“If you are upcountry, at least when you hear this, make sure you go to your station on Monday. If you don’t appear, you will be considered AWOL—away without official leave. And you know, nature abhors a vacuum. Something will be done to fill that vacuum you’ve left,” he said.

The situation now hangs in the balance, with the government digging in its heels and teachers refusing to back down unless their demands are met. For now, classrooms across the country remain empty, students are idle, and the fate of the school term is uncertain.

The coming days will determine whether the teachers comply with the government’s directive or continue their strike, potentially deepening a crisis that has already shaken the country’s education system.