11th September 2025
All UNATU leaders at National, Regional and Branch levels
All UNATU Members
All UNATU Staff
INDUSTRIAL ACTION TO BEGIN ON 15TH SEPTEMBER 2025
The National Executive Council (NEC) of UNATU, sitting in a special meeting on 10th September
2025 and the special Branch Chairpersons sitting today, 11th September 2025, deliberated on the
unresolved issue of salary enhancement for categories of teachers in Primary and Post Primary
schools and education institutions left out during the FY2022/2023 enhancements. After careful
consideration of Government’s continued silence and inaction, it was resolved as follows:
Industrial Action
✓ Effective Monday, 15th September 2025, all UNATU members in the affected
categories from both Primary and Post Primary schools and education institutions are
directed NOT to report to school for the opening of third term.
✓ The industrial action will continue until Government takes concrete and verifiable steps
to address the salary disparities.
✓ Members are instructed to remain law-abiding, peaceful, and united during this period.
Guidelines to follow during the industrial action
1. All UNATU members must remain at home. This is a peaceful industrial action and therefore
no teacher should get involved in public protests/ demonstrations.
2. District/ Municipal/City Education officials are to ensure the safety of children and schools and
should report the status to relevant authorities since Head Teachers will not be in schools.
3. In case of harassment, intimidation or victimization of any kind, report these cases to any
nearby UNATU office/leader for immediate legal redress.
4. Do not engage in activities that undermine the collective decision of the Union. All members
are bound by collective responsibility.
5. Avoid intimidation or violence; this is a peaceful and lawful industrial action.
6. Keep in close contact with your branch and regional leadership for updates and instructions.
7. Direct all media inquiries to the General Secretary’s office. Do not issue personal statements on
behalf of the Union.
8. The industrial action may take different forms as will be guided by UNATU leadership and as
situations demand and therefore you will be updated from time to time.
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9. The General Secretary is the official spokesperson of the Union and therefore any updates
particularly regarding calling off the strike will be issued by him.
10. Beware of detractors that are deliberately sending misleading information under the guise of
‘UNATU’. Confirm all information with the UNATU App as well as the UNATU website
(www.unatu.org) before disseminating it to others.
11. The success of the Industrial Action relies heavily on our active participation as members. Let
us mobilize other Union members to act. The time is NOW to fight against those whose
mission is to deliberately divide the teaching fraternity. If we fail to act TODAY against the
continued unfair, and unjust salary enhancements, we should not lament about any other
segregative increments implemented in the future.
12. The Industrial Action also gives us an opportunity to determine the genuineness of those that
claim to support teachers, learners and quality education. Mobilize all education stakeholders to
TAKE A STAND FOR TEACHERS and support the innocent learners to enjoy their right to
education. Teachers’ conditions are learners’ conditions.
13. Stand firm and maintain solidarity. Our strength lies in unity.
14. Endeavour to remain updated on the status of the Industrial Action and inform other members
accordingly.
Message to members
Fellow teachers, this is the moment of truth. For three years, while some of our colleagues have
enjoyed a 300% salary increment, the rest of us have been left with nothing but empty promises.
Three years of waiting. Three years of frustration. Three years of watching others move ahead while
we are told to “wait.” We must ask ourselves: How much longer will we wait?
The answer is clear. If you are not happy with this unfairness, then let your action speak louder than
words. On Monday, 15th September 2025, let every affected teacher, in every corner of Uganda,
remain at home. By staying away from school, we will send a clear and unmistakable message to
Government that teachers cannot and will not continue to be ignored.
We have tried to speak up through letters and other formal requests for audience but Government has
not listened. This time round, let the empty classrooms speak for us. Let our absence from the school
compounds be louder than the excuses from Government.
Remember this: “Three years, no justice — Our silence and patience end now!”
Stand firm. Stay home. Together, in unity, we shall win back our dignity.
BECAUSE WE ARE, THE NATION IS
BAGUMA FILBERT BATES
GENERAL SECRETARY
