By Enock Ndyamuhakyi
Kabale, Uganda-The Kabale Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Maj. Godfrey Katamba, has appealed to teachers under the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) to return to classrooms as government addresses their demands for salary enhancements.
Addressing the press on Tuesday after a strategic meeting with district and municipal leaders, Maj. Katamba acknowledged that teachers’ grievances are genuine but cautioned against industrial action that disrupts learners’ right to education.
“Teachers are government employees, and their issues are being forwarded to the responsible authorities. However, the strike has come at an unfortunate time, shortly after the national budget has already been approved,” he said.
The RDC urged parents and guardians to disregard calls by UNATU leadership to keep children at home, stressing that schools must reopen with immediate effect. He noted that Kabale has been particularly affected by the industrial action, given that much of UNATU’s top leadership hails from the district.
Maj. Katamba said that the government remains committed to enhancing salaries but called for patience.“Government is working on a plan to increase teachers’ pay.This cannot happen overnight, but dialogue is ongoing,” he stated..
He also reminded civil servants of public service regulations, warning that government employees who fail to work at least 15 days in a month risk losing their salaries.
As part of resolutions from Tuesday’s meeting, school inspections will begin immediately to enforce teaching resumption. Maj. Katamba warned that headteachers of schools found closed or non-functional will face disciplinary action.
A daily roll-call for teachers has also been introduced, with absentee staff risking salary deductions. Additionally, capitation grants will not be released to schools where headteachers fail to enforce attendance.
Echoing the RDC’s message, Kabale Municipality Town Clerk, Hajji Kashijja Jamailu Kaiiru, urged teachers to let UNATU’s national leadership continue dialogue with government.“Pupils are missing valuable class time. We appeal to teachers to prioritize learners’ education and allow national leaders to negotiate on their behalf,” he said.
The strike, part of a nationwide UNATU campaign for improved remuneration and better working conditions, has disrupted learning across several districts. Local leaders in Kabale have insisted that cooperation, not confrontation, is the best way forward as government considers the teachers’ demands.
