President Yoweri Museveni and arts teachers under the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU) have reached an agreement for salary increment starting July 2025, The Pearl Times has confirmed.
Also confirmed by The Pearl Times is the arts teachers’ decision to call off their strike, according to a directive by Uphtu president Teopista Akello.
Museveni met with the leaders of the Arts and Humanities teachers to discuss their industrial action regarding low pay.
The president agreed to offer “collective solutions” to arts teachers, The Pearl Times has further learnt.
“During the war, we prioritised feeding the soldiers on guard duty to ensure everyone’s safety. This teamwork enabled us to persevere. Upon our return, we explored ways to thrive despite low wages, beginning with a payment of Shs 3.5 million to the Chief Justice, making him the highest earner,” explained Museveni.
“We can develop collective solutions for Arts teachers, similar to what we implemented for soldiers. This includes building homes for teachers and ensuring their children study for free, as well as implementing a phased 25% pay increase.”
Museveni asked arts teachers to settle for a phased manner salary increment and return to class.
“I encouraged them to return to work and collaborate with the government for a better future which they obliged to. They will resume classes and begin marking UNEB assessments [today],” said Museveni after the meeting.
Akello has announced the end of the strike, The Pearl Times has learnt.
“In light of these developments, I hereby suspend the Industrial Action as we await the completion of internal processes. We will continue to update you on any new progress,” Akello told arts teachers.
From the meeting attended by the UPHTU National Executive Committee (NEC) and sub-regional coordinators, Akello noted that Museveni had agreed to a tax waiver of 10 per cent, “resulting in a 20% salary enhancement for this financial year.”
Akello also talked of “additional incentives [that] will be extended to the teaching fraternity,” according to information obtained by The Pearl Times.
The arts teachers were also told that “the remaining 25% salary increment will be included in the 2026/2027 financial year budget.”
Days before the deal with Museveni, his minister had threatened to fire arts teachers who refuse to go back to class, as reported Here.
The arts teachers will continue to earn way below science teachers as indicated in our report on salary differences in secondary schools, and the salary structure Here and There.
For comments on this report, story tips or sponsored content, send us a Whatsapp message on +256 705 690 819 or E-mail us on pearltimesug@gmail.com).
Please Follow our Whatsapp Channel for More Stories Here
