The National Teachers Union has petitioned parliament seeking intervention over the low salaries paid to teachers. This follows an ultimatum of two weeks up to 27th July 2011 that the teachers gave government to increase their salaries or else the teachers lay down their tools of work.

The teachers are seeking 100% salary increment to help them to cope with the double digit inflation. Several MPS have sympathized with the teachers saying that government needs to scale up the teachers’ salaries.

Shadow minister for education Frank Akello says that originally Ugandan teachers are paid well less compared to its sister neighbors like Kenya and Tanzania where a teacher earns about 200 US dollars as a starting salary per month.

Akello demands that government looks into the demands of the teachers’ welfare including housing and transport allowance. She says that the teachers’ demands can be met even by way of supplementary budget.

Ngora MP Jackline Amongine advised the teachers to form SACCO that can be assisted by government through the prosperity for all programme.
By Mugisa Isaac Mathias