Govt Declares Teachers’ and Local Government Workers’ Strike Illegal

The government has declared the ongoing strike by teachers and the newly launched industrial action by local government workers illegal, warning that participants risk being treated as having “abandoned duty.”

In a statement issued Thursday morning, the Minister of Public Service, Wilson Muruli Mukasa, said the strikes undermine ongoing negotiations on salary enhancements and violate procedures under the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council.

“The commencement of industrial action by some teachers on 15th September 2025 and the planned industrial action by Local Government Workers from 1st October 2025, when discussions have not even started, is uncalled for and jeopardizes the cordial relationship the Government has enjoyed with the Labour Unions,” the Minister said.

Teachers across the country have been on strike for over two weeks, while local government workers joined the industrial action on Monday this week, demanding immediate salary enhancements. According to the Ministry of Public Service, a total of 125,276 public officers have benefited from salary adjustments since 2017/2018, with teachers among the prioritized groups. Currently, 77 percent of public officers earn in line with the long-term pay targets, although 66 percent have not seen any adjustment since 2014/2015.

The Minister stressed that President Museveni has committed to a phased salary increment, including a 25 percent enhancement for humanities teachers in the 2026/2027 financial year. Requirements for enhancements across teachers, public universities, and other underpaid officers have already been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration in the new budget, the minister says.

“In view of the above, the 90-day notice contained in your letters does not meet the legal requirements. Accordingly, any plans by your unions to proceed with industrial action under the circumstances are illegal and should not be pursued,” Muruli Mukasa warned.

He appealed to union leaders to call off the strikes and directed teachers and local government workers to return to duty within one week. “You are hereby enjoined to call off the industrial action, and for your members…to resume duty immediately and not beyond one week or else you will be regarded as having abandoned duty and resigned accordingly,” the statement read. 

Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks, District Education Officers, and Resident District/City Commissioners have been instructed to monitor compliance and report errant officers.