The Parliamentary Committee on Education and Sports has summoned the Ministries of Finance, Public Service, and Education to address the long-standing issue of salary disparities between arts and science teachers, after the ministries failed to attend a scheduled meeting on Thursday.
The issue follows a petition from the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) to Speaker Anita Among earlier this month, highlighting the urgent need to resolve the salary inequalities affecting the teaching profession.
The Speaker subsequently referred the matter to the Education Committee for processing and reporting back to Parliament.
"We are concerned that the government's failure to address this issue is affecting learners and tarnishing the teaching profession," said a committee member. "We need to find a solution and ensure that our teachers are fairly compensated for their work."
UNATU General Secretary Filbert Baguma expressed dissatisfaction with the ministries’ response, noting that prior engagements had not produced results.
"If no progress is made within two weeks, teachers may resume industrial action," he warned.
The committee has now officially summoned the Ministries of Finance, Education, and Public Service to appear on Tuesday next week to explain the government’s position.
Committee chairpersons, including James Kubeketerya and Joseph Ssewungu, stressed the urgency of resolving the matter.
Salary disparities have remained a contentious issue, with arts teachers reportedly struggling to meet basic needs. The committee’s interventions come amid growing pressure on the government to prioritize education and ensure fair compensation for all teachers.
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