Teachers Welcome Government Salary Enhancement: UNATU Calls for Improved Teachers' Welfare Beyond Pay.Teachers Urged To Communicate Genuine Personal Challenges.
The Uganda National Teachers' Union has welcomed the government's salary enhancement for teachers, describing it as a positive step towards improving the education sector. However, the union says improving teachers' welfare should go beyond salaries, calling for greater attention to the personal and professional challenges that affect classroom performance.
This week, the minister of public service, Gen. Edward Katumba Wamala, announced that the government had increased the national public service wage bill by more than Shs1 trillion in the 2026/2027 financial year, paving the way for salary enhancements for selected categories of public servants.
According to the Minister, the salary enhancement will benefit selected categories of public officers, including certificate primary school teachers and graduate arts teachers
The announcement was received with joy as the Uganda National Teachers' Union has come out to commend the government for enhancing teachers' salaries, saying the move demonstrates recognition of the important role teachers play in shaping the nation's future.
Speaking to journalists, the Union's General Secretary, General Filbert Baguma, said investing in teachers is an investment in Uganda's future, emphasizing that quality education depends on a motivated and well-supported teaching workforce.
Baguma, however, said salary enhancement alone is not enough to address the challenges facing teachers.
He noted that many teachers continue to face domestic and family-related challenges that affect their well-being and ultimately impact their performance in the classroom.
The UNATU general secretary also addressed the issue of teacher absenteeism, urging teachers to remain professional while encouraging school administrators to understand genuine personal circumstances that may affect attendance.
He appealed to teachers facing unavoidable domestic challenges to always communicate with their supervisors instead of staying away from work without explanation.
The union says it will continue engaging the government and other stakeholders to ensure that teachers' welfare, working conditions, and professional development remain a priority alongside salary enhancement.
