Humanities teachers in Kabale under their umbrella body, Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU), have gone on strike, protesting what they call unequal and unfair salary treatment compared to the science colleagues.
The industrial action, which began on June 6, 2025, is aimed at pushing the government to address what teachers describe as discriminatory salary structures.
The union members argue that if the government does not recognize the significance of arts subjects and compensate arts teachers equally, it should eliminate the teaching of these subjects from secondary schools altogether.
The teachers, speaking during a union meeting held at Vienna Guest House in Kekuubo, Southern Division of Kabale Municipality, expressed frustration over the continued disparity in pay despite undergoing similar training and paying the same tuition fees as their science counterparts.
Praise Twebaze, UPHTU Treasurer for the Kigezi Region and the Kabale Municipality Coordinator, criticized the government’s decision to prioritize science subjects financially, saying it undermines the contributions of arts educators.
"We went to the same training institutions and paid the same fees. It’s degrading to be treated as less valuable simply because of our subject specialization,"Twebaze said.
Wilber Ayebare, UPHTU Coordinator for the Greater Kabale Area, echoed her sentiments.
He described the current treatment of arts teachers as disrespectful and discouraging, especially for professionals who have committed themselves to national service undert challenging conditions.
Ayebare encouraged teachers to remain united and resolute in their demands and not be swayed by intimidation from school administrators or government representatives.
"This is a cause for justice, and we must stand firm together," Ayebare stated.
Other teachers also spoke out in support of the strike.
Innocent Tuheiseomwe, a teacher at Buhara Primary School, emphasized the importance of equitable pay in promoting teacher motivation and better academic outcomes.
“We can’t talk about quality education without fairness in compensation,” Tuheiseomwe noted.
Vincent Kakare, Director of Studies at St. Mary’s College Rushoroza, noted that paying all teachers equally would foster unity and professionalism in the education sector.
He argued that a fair salary structure would lead to a more balanced and effective education system across the country.
The union is calling on the government to revise the 2025/2026 budget to include arts teachers in the same salary bracket as science teachers.
According to UPHTU, doing so would not only restore morale among teachers but also reinforce the essential role humanities subjects play in national development.
Failure to meet these demands, the union warns, could result in prolonged disruption to the school calendar.
