Uganda Government Threatens Immediate Termination for Striking Humanities Teachers if They Don’t Return by Monday.
The government has issued an ultimatum to striking teachers of humanities, under the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) to report back to duty by next Monday or face immediate termination from the public service.
This directive was announced today by the Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, while speaking at the Lake View Hotel in Mbarara City. Baryomunsi was addressing a meeting organized by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) for media managers and Resident District Commissioners from the Western region, which primarily aimed to set media guidelines for the upcoming elections.
He noted that the industrial action, which began on September 15th, coinciding with the start of the third school term, has left thousands of students without instruction, severely disrupting the national academic calendar. Baryomunsi said this was cabinets’ decision, adding that salary enhancements for teachers of humanities and other civil servants will be considered after the forthcoming general elections.
However, the UNATU Chaireperson, Zadok Tumuhimbise dismissed Baryomunsi’s directive, asserting that he lacks the jurisdiction to call off the industrial action. Tumuhimbise affirmed that the strike is still on and urged teachers to remain home, calm, and focused on their demands.
