Story by Obed Kankiriho
Arts teachers in Rukungiri District, under the Professional Human Teachers Union (UPHTU), have joined their counterparts in Kabale, Bushenyi, Mbarara, and Kisoro districts in a growing regional strike demanding salary equity with science teachers.
The teachers held a peaceful protest on Monday, beginning with a meeting at Riverside Hotel before marching through the streets while chanting slogans such as “No money, no class” and carrying placards with messages like “The humanities matter” and “Article 40 commands you to pay us.”
The educators are demanding a raise in their monthly salaries from Shs 620,000 to Shs 4 million, in line with what science teachers reportedly earn.
They cite a 2019 government agreement, which promised to address the disparity in the 2025/2026 financial year—a promise they say has not materialized.
Fred Turamyomwe, chairperson of the Rukungiri arts teachers, said they have now been on strike for 11 days and vowed not to return to classrooms until the government acts.
He warned that continued underfunding and neglect of arts subjects like English, History, Religious Education, and Fine Art is severely disrupting learning.
Angela Boonabana, a teacher at St. Gerald’s Secondary School Nyakibale, said the wide pay gap has caused humiliation and a sense of worthlessness among arts teachers.
Teachers from Immaculate Heart Girls’ School Nyakibale, including Esau Isingoma and Sophia Busingye, argued that despite equal qualifications and workloads, arts teachers are underpaid and undervalued.
The teachers called on all humanities teachers across the country to join the strike and boycott teaching, exam setting, invigilation, and marking until salary parity is addressed.
