Agency
The government has declared the ongoing strike by teachers and the newly launched industrial action by local government workers illegal, warning that participants risk being treated as having “abandoned duty.”
In a statement issued today, the Minister of Public Service, Wilson Muruli Mukasa, said the strikes undermine ongoing negotiations on salary enhancements and violate procedures under the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council.
Teachers across the country have been on strike for over two weeks, while local government workers joined the industrial action on Monday this week, demanding immediate salary enhancements.
The Minister stressed that President Museveni has committed to a phased salary increment, including a 25 percent enhancement for humanity teachers in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Requirements for enhancements across teachers, public universities, and other underpaid officers have already been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration in the new budget.
He appealed to union leaders to call off the strikes and directed teachers and local government workers to return to duty within one week.
Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks, District Education Officers, and Resident District/City Commissioners have been instructed to monitor compliance and report errant officers.
