The Uganda Law Society (ULS) has criticised government threats to sack arts teachers who have been on strike over pay disparities with their science colleagues.
Arts teachers across the country have stayed away from classrooms since the beginning of third term, demanding that the government address long-standing salary differences.
On September 15, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (Unatu) officially declared a nationwide strike.
Last week, the Minister of Public Service, Muruli Mukasa, warned teachers that failure to return to work would result in dismissal.
“If you don’t return to class, it means you are no longer interested in the job, and you will have dismissed yourself. Action will be taken to fill your gap. I am saying, go back to work immediately. I’m appealing to you, go back,” he said.
In response, ULS Vice President Anthony Asiimwe condemned the threats, saying they violate teachers’ constitutional rights.
In a statement issued Monday, ULS said it was “deeply disturbed by the government’s approach” and warned that mass dismissal amounted to intimidation rather than dialogue.
“The blanket threat of mass dismissal amounts to coercion, not dialogue, and undermines the very principles of constitutionalism, democracy, and respect for fundamental rights and freedoms,” the statement read.
Asiimwe stressed that the Constitution guarantees freedom of assembly and demonstration under Article 29(1)(d), obliging state organs to respect these rights.
“What government has chosen to do is not negotiation, it is coercion. It is coercing teachers into silence rather than addressing the very grievances that pushed them to take lawful industrial action,” he added.
ULS has demanded that the government withdraw its threats and engage teachers in meaningful dialogue, warning that legal and advocacy action will follow if intimidation continues.
UNATU General Secretary Filbert Baguma said teachers had been patient for three years, waiting for promised salary adjustments.
“We feel the pain of parents and learners, but we are ourselves parents with children who go to school,” he said.
The last major UNATU strike occurred in 2022 and ended after President Museveni promised salary adjustments, prioritising science teachers first.