Kamwenge teachers return to class as UNATU suspends strike

Teachers in government-aided primary schools across Kamwenge district have resumed work following the suspension of the teachers’ strike by the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU).

The industrial action, which began in September at the start of the third term, was called off last week after a meeting between UNATU leaders and speaker of parliament Anita Among.

In a statement, UNATU said the decision to temporarily suspend the strike was made in good faith, to give room for continued negotiations with the government over salary enhancement demands.

The union emphasised that the government must honour its commitment to address salary disparities between arts and science teachers and provide a clear roadmap for implementing the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

A visit by our reporter to several schools in Kamwenge found that most teachers had returned to class. At Kamwenge Railway primary school, all 14 teachers reported for duty, with 600 out of 764 pupils in attendance.

At Biguli primary school, 8 of 10 teachers resumed work, though only 193 out of 600 pupils attended classes. Monic Natuhamya, the headteacher of Biguli primary school, said one of the absent teachers was on annual leave, while another was attending to a personal matter.

At Kimuli Kidongo primary school, headteacher Denis Mwijuka reported full teacher attendance of 11, but only 121 out of 500 pupils turned up. Headteachers at the visited schools said lessons resumed immediately, with teachers showing determination to recover lost time.

However, they expressed concern about low pupil turnout, suggesting that some parents who had transferred their children to private schools during the strike may not yet be aware that classes have resumed.

John Mubunga, UNATU chairperson for Kamwenge district, commended teachers for their patience and solidarity during the industrial action. He, however, cautioned that if the government fails to fulfil its promises, the union might be left with no option but to resume industrial action.