The long-awaited salary boost for arts teachers Uganda is finally happening after weeks of strikes. Arts teachers, represented by the Uganda Professional Humanitarian Teachers Union (UPHTU), demanded equal pay with their science counterparts. Their demands included UGX 6.5 million for headteachers, UGX 4.5 million for deputies, UGX 4 million for graduates, and UGX 2.2 million for diploma holders.
Initially, the government ignored these requests. However, when teachers threatened to abandon continuous assessments, President Museveni invited UPHTU leaders to State House in Entebbe. This meeting became a key turning point.
President Museveni admitted that Uganda faces economic challenges but offered a phased solution. The government proposed a salary boost for arts teachers Uganda with a 25% pay rise each year for four years. By the 2026/2027 Financial Year, arts teachers will earn the same as science teachers.
The President also announced a reduction in Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax from 30% to 10%. This change starts this financial year and will significantly increase teachers’ take-home pay.
In addition to the salary boost for arts teachers Uganda, the government committed UGX 20 billion to the teachers’ SACCO. This funding will allow teachers to access affordable loans, supporting businesses like farming, retail, and mobile money operations.
Another big win came when the President promised free education for teachers’ biological children. This benefit covers all public education institutions, from primary to university. While he didn’t give a timeline, he directed the Ministries of Education and Finance to make it happen.
The government also pledged to solve accommodation challenges. Each teacher will receive a two-room staff house with a bedroom and a sitting room. This plan addresses the lack of staff housing, especially in rural and seed schools.
At first, some teachers rejected the 25% yearly increment. They argued for immediate equal pay with science teachers. However, State Minister for Higher Education John Chrysostom Muyingo advised them to accept the offer as a practical solution.
Following the agreement, UPHTU leaders called off the strike. They urged all arts teachers to return to class immediately. Public Service Minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa confirmed that teaching and learner assessments resumed on July 1, 2025.
State Minister for Finance Amos Lugoolobi explained that UGX 509 billion is needed for the wage increase. This amount will be distributed over four years through the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. The government will also spend UGX 540 billion on building staff housing nationwide.
This salary boost for arts teachers Uganda marks a major achievement. For years, arts teachers felt undervalued compared to their science counterparts. The new deal not only improves salaries but also provides tax relief, affordable loans, better housing, and free education for their children.
This agreement proves that constructive dialogue between teachers and the government can solve long-standing problems. As teachers return to work with higher morale, learners and the entire education system will benefit from this historic decision.
Read: Humanities Teachers Strike in Uganda Over Salary Disparities
