The Ugandan government has officially declared the ongoing strikes by teachers and the newly launched industrial action by local government workers illegal, warning that employees who fail to resume duty will be considered as having “abandoned their posts.”
Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa issued the warning on Thursday, stating that the strikes undermine ongoing salary negotiations and violate procedures under the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council. He described the industrial action as unnecessary and harmful to the positive relationship the government has maintained with labor unions.
Teachers have been on strike for more than two weeks, while local government workers joined this week demanding immediate salary increases. The government maintains that salary discussions are underway and must follow established legal procedures.
The Public Service Ministry noted that since the 2017/2018 financial year, 125,276 public officers have benefited from salary adjustments, with teachers prioritized among the groups targeted for pay improvements. Currently, 77 percent of public officers earn salaries aligned with long-term pay targets, although 66 percent have not received increments since the 2014/2015 financial year. Phased salary enhancements are planned, including a 25 percent increment for humanity teachers in the 2026/2027 financial year.
Requests for further salary adjustments for teachers, public university staff, and other underpaid officers have already been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration in the upcoming budget.
Muruli Mukasa emphasized that the 90-day notice issued by the unions does not meet legal requirements, rendering the strikes illegal. He directed all striking teachers and local government workers to return to work within one week.
Chief Administrative Officers, town clerks, district education officers, and resident district/city commissioners have been tasked with monitoring compliance and reporting officers who ignore the directive. The government has made it clear that failure to comply will be treated as abandonment of duty, carrying serious consequences for those involved.
