By Kweronda Ambrose
in Kabale—-
The Chairperson of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), Zadock Tumuhimbise, has cautioned that the government’s decision to prioritize salary increases for science teachers while leaving their counterparts disadvantaged and demotivated, will have long-lasting negative effects.
Speaking during the 19th Annual Delegates’ Conference for teachers at Agaba Center in Kabale Municipality on Tuesday, Tumuhimbise condemned the discriminatory salary enhancements, stating they have eroded teacher morale, diminished effectiveness, and disrupted education policy. The conference, held under the theme *“Valuing Teachers’ Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,”* served as a platform to address these pressing concerns.
“Despite raising concerns and advocating against these disparities, the government has failed to address them,” Tumuhimbise said. “This has caused significant demotivation among teachers excluded from the salary increments, leading many to abandon the profession.”
He noted that some teachers have resorted to alternative livelihoods, including boda-boda riding, farming, mobile money services, or taking up domestic work abroad. Alarmingly, he added, financial hardships and stress have led to some educators taking their own lives.
“As a country already grappling with teacher shortages and high mortality rates among educators, we cannot afford to lose more teachers,” Tumuhimbise warned. He called on the government to address the disparities urgently and improve teachers’ working and living conditions to prevent further attrition.
Tumuhimbise revealed that UNATU has formally written to the Head of Public Service, expressing the growing anxiety among teachers and demanding swift action.
“If the government is genuinely committed to promoting quality education and values the contributions of all teachers, it must urgently enhance salaries for primary school teachers and those teaching arts and humanities in post-primary institutions. These adjustments should be reflected in the FY 2025/2026 budget,” he stated.
The Guest of Honor, Workers’ MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara, supported Tumuhimbise’s concerns, labeling the government’s selective pay increases as unjust. He called for immediate measures to eliminate disparities within the education sector.