Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) leaders, including secretary general Filbert Bates Baguma and chairperson Zadok Tumuhimbise, are currently under fire after the members they recently led in a strike for salary increment accused them of pocketing billions of Shillings in bribes to betray them and call off the industrial action without any deal.
A good number of secondary school arts and primary school teachers have reacted angrily to the July 04 announcement for the suspension of the strike following a meeting between Unatu and President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni as well as his wife Janet Kataaha Kainembabazi Museveni at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala.
Even when the Unatu meeting that purported to represent the majority views of Ugandan teachers resolved to end the strike, the reactions seem to point to the fact that many did not want the industrial action suspended.
Here are some of the reactions from the teachers following the Unatu announcement:
I had some Hope in you Baguma but it’s gone. You Guys must have been Bribed. So on meeting M7 You forgot about “No Money No Class”. You’re a disgrace to the voiceless Teachers out there. Rukundo Richard
Continue making profits over us, the end has justified the means. Most of us have plan B. Orishaba Jaspa
Very embarrassing…. teachers will forever be ashamed in this country. Nobody will ever take them serious. Our pride and confidence is all gone. The art teachers will forever be inferior and ashamed. Sad. We would have continued with the strike until the government sees this matter is of concern. Come from such a strike, we went into with all our hearts and it bears no fruits is sad. I want to disassociate myself with your leadership and soon with the government upon my services if all I am planning comes to pass. – Atandu Sunday
Teachers need psychological help……our morale is totally shuttered….we hold this. – Jonan Gift Kushaba
Unatu is very useless, you invited chairpersons on our behalf and money and later sold us to president and you came up with a stupid decision. Couldn’t the president invite the latter on his own minus you inviting them for him? – Remigio M-cee Tumushabe
UNATU PLEASE SEND ME THE WAY TO BE DECODED FROM THE MONTHLY PAYMENT of my membership subscription better to save little you are deducting to for myself and my family. It’s urgent please treat it as matter of urgency – Abala Pa Maa Amos
I have resolved to leave this union – Nuwagira Aggrey Byamugisha
We’re Quitting Unatu With Immediate Effect – Nick Pro
How are we going to face learners after coming out as losers? Students and parents will continue underlooking us coz they had less respect for teachers before. – Biira Immaculate
So sad for sure! We struggled for nothing. I heard you talking of an innocent learner. Didn’t you know earlier that the learner was there? “Mbu no money, no class.” Game over. – Gastone Tumwijukye
Meanwhile, over 5,000 Geography and History Teachers Have Failed Aptitude Tests and missed out on government payroll jobs. (Read Story HERE and THERE).
REVEALED: Here is How Museveni & His Wife Janet SQUEEZED UNATU Leaders to End Strike EMPTY HANDED
MORE STORIES ON OUR COVERAGE OF ARTS TEACHERS’ STRIKE & SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS
MORE ON SCIENCE TEACHERS’ SALARY INCREMENT
MORE ON SALARY INCREMENT CIRCUS
In order to improve service delivery and end the challenge of strikes over low pay, President Museveni’s government has proposed huge salary increments for teachers, doctors and other employees starting July 2022. (Read Story Here)
The proposed increments have left many people wondering if government will really fulfill this pledge and increase salaries by very high amounts.
For example, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye has argued that the promise of salary increment is just ‘another lie.’ (Read Story Here).
Finance Minister Matia Kasaija recently said the money for increasing teachers’, doctors’ and other civil servants’ salaries was available. (Read Story Here).
In August 2021, cabinet approved salary increment for teachers, doctors and other health workers. (Read Story Here).
See the salary structure that had been proposed for the current financial year here.
UPDATED LIST: See Salary Structure for All Government Workers
Meanwhile, an NRM MP has angered teachers after telling them they are too poor to go on strike. (Read Story Here).
