October 16, 2025 — Day 32 of the Industrial Action
After 32 days of unity, courage, and sacrifice, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) has suspended the ongoing Industrial Action to allow Parliament and the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council to conclude their investigations and deliberations on salary disparities among teachers.
According to the General Secretary, Mr. Baguma Filbert Bates, the decision follows tangible progress achieved through the Industrial Action, including:
- Government’s acknowledgment of the existing pay disparities among teachers.
- The reopening of formal negotiation channels that had been closed for over three years.
- Parliament’s commitment to urgently address the matter through its Committees on Education & Sports, Public Service, and Local Government.
“This suspension is not surrender,” the General Secretary emphasized. “It is a strategic decision to give Parliament—the institution responsible for budget allocation and oversight to have a chance to deliver justice. If Parliament fails to act, Industrial Action will resume stronger, broader, and indefinite.”
The National Executive Council and Branch Chairpersons reached the resolution after receiving official communication from the Speaker of Parliament recalling the committees to handle UNATU’s petition. Members have therefore been called upon to resume duty as the Union closely monitors Parliament’s progress.
UNATU reaffirmed its commitment to fairness, equity, and the professional dignity of all teachers, emphasizing that the Industrial Action has not been in vain. It has reignited national conversation and placed teachers’ welfare at the center of Parliamentary attention.
“Suspension is not defeat. It means we have advanced to the next and most powerful level of engagement. We now have an accountability centre — Parliament,” Mr. Baguma concluded.
UNATU remains Proudly Committed, Connected, and Accountable to the members’ cause.
Because we are, the nation is.