Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has assured members of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) that Parliament is fully committed to addressing the long-standing salary disparities between teachers of humanities and sciences.
Speaking after receiving a petition from UNATU officials at Parliament on Wednesday, Among said the issue will be given priority during the upcoming budget discussions.
She emphasized that the matter is largely financial and that both Parliament and the Executive are determined to find a lasting solution.
“As Parliament of Uganda, I want to promise you that we are going to do whatever it takes to ensure that these issues are resolved, and all these things are revolving around money. I am happy that you have brought this petition before we go into a budgeting time,” Among stated.
The Speaker, who also conveyed President Yoweri Museveni’s awareness and involvement in the matter, reassured the teachers that their concerns would not be ignored.
“I have given you my commitment and the commitment I am giving you is on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni because there is no way we can commit ourselves here without the President knowing. Whatever we do here, we work together with the Executive,” she said.
Among urged the teachers to continue their duties as government works on resolving the disparities, cautioning against industrial action that could disrupt learning.
“Let’s not paralyze the country. Let’s go back and work and this issue will be resolved. It is to our best interest that you are happy, your welfare is good because you mean a lot to this country,” she said.
The teachers’ union has for months been pushing for equal pay, arguing that the existing salary gap undermines motivation and unity within the education sector.