Teachers Demand Fair Pay as They Petition Parliament

Teachers in Uganda Demand Equal Pay for Arts and Science Administrators

A group of secondary school teachers, represented by the Uganda Secondary School Arts Administrators Union (USSAAU), has raised concerns about what they describe as unfair salary differences between arts and science educators and administrators. The issue has led to a formal petition presented to Parliament, highlighting the growing dissatisfaction among arts administrators who feel undervalued.

The petition was submitted by Workers MP Abdulhu Byakatondo on August 8, 2025. It reflects the frustrations of arts administrators who claim they perform identical administrative duties as their science counterparts but are paid significantly less. The presentation took place in the presence of USSAAU leaders and members, emphasizing the collective nature of the concern.

The teachers argue that a presidential directive in 2021 aimed at promoting science education resulted in higher salaries for science-based educators and administrators. While this initiative was intended to boost scientific research and teaching, it has inadvertently created significant pay disparities. According to the petition, the Ministry of Public Service introduced a revised salary structure on November 19, 2024, which increased the pay for science-based headteachers from sh2.35 million to sh6.5 million and for science deputy headteachers from sh1.74 million to sh4.5 million.

However, arts-based headteachers and deputies continue to receive the same salaries as before—sh2.35 million and sh1.74 million respectively. This discrepancy has sparked outrage among arts educators, who view it as discriminatory. They argue that both groups carry out the same administrative responsibilities within schools, yet their compensation is drastically different.

The petition also references a 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the government and public service labor unions, including the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU). This agreement emphasized non-discrimination in remuneration and conditions of service. Despite this, Cabinet approved salary enhancements exclusively for science educators in August 2021, leading to widespread discontent among non-science teaching staff.

“The implementation of this directive has caused strife, division and dissatisfaction within the teaching workforce and could negatively affect service delivery,” the petition warns. It calls on the government to take several steps to address the issue:

• Establish a sustainable salary enhancement plan that includes both arts and science administrators.
• Implement equitable remuneration in line with Article 40 (1)(b) of the Constitution, which guarantees equal pay for equal work.
• Engage public service unions in negotiations and consultations to ensure fair representation.
• Align the salary structure of arts teachers with that of their science counterparts to eliminate divisions and dissatisfaction in schools.

Kalungu West MP Joseph Gonzaga, representing the NUP, supported the petition, noting that some arts teachers have become demotivated to the point of withdrawing from active teaching due to the salary gap. He expressed skepticism about whether the ministry would effectively resolve the issue.

Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, who presided over the session, referred the petition to the Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, for further action. The case highlights the urgent need for a more inclusive and equitable approach to teacher compensation in Uganda.