Katakwi district authorities have issued a stern warning to striking teachers, directing them to return to their duty stations immediately or risk losing their jobs.
Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Katakwi, Stephen Ilemukorit Okure, delivered the warning on Thursday, stressing that prolonged absence from class would amount to self-dismissal.
According to Ilemukorit, an indoor meeting was held between District Education Officer Angella Atim Mudong, UNATU Katakwi branch chairperson John Okot, and the Katakwi District Security Committee led by the RDC.
The meeting resolved to mobilize teachers to resume duty without delay.
On his return journey from Kampala, Ilemukorit noted that schools in Masaka, Kamuli, and Wakiso were operational and urged Katakwi teachers to follow suit.
“I am appealing to you, go back to your stations on Monday. Don’t sit at home drinking alcohol. If you don’t return to school or class, it means you are no longer interested in the job and will have dismissed yourself. Action will be taken to fill your gap,” Ilemukorit cautioned.
The standoff now rests on whether teachers will heed the government’s directive or prolong their strike as the demand for better pay intensifies.
However, Jane Christine Okure, parish councillor for Rwatam Parish in Okore Sub-county, Ngariam County, Katakwi District, appealed to government to honour its commitment to salary increments.
She argued that continued industrial action would endanger learners’ future.
The strike, which has disrupted both primary and post-primary schools as well as institutions of learning, stems from longstanding demands for salary enhancement.
On August 25, 2025, the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) formally notified the Ministry of Public Service about their industrial action.
A reminder was issued on September 10, 2025, reiterating the demand for improved pay.
Subsequent talks between government ministries, including Public Service, Education and Sports, and Gender, Labour and Social Development, and UNATU leaders on September 16, 2025 ended without a breakthrough.
This is not the first time salary disputes have rocked the sector.
On June 29, 2025, President Yoweri Museveni met with the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers Union (UPHTU) at State House, Entebbe.
He pledged to pursue collective solutions, including phased salary increments, and committed to enhancing the pay of humanities teachers by 25% of the 77% long-term pay targets in the 2026/2027 financial year.
According to the Ministry of Public Service, achieving salary enhancements for humanities teachers, public university staff, primary school teachers, and other public officers earning below 25% of the approved targets would require UGX 1.4 trillion, a figure already submitted to the Ministry of Finance for budget consideration.
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