President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is scheduled to meet about 250 members of the Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) across the country today (Monday) at Kololo Independence Grounds.
The meeting kicks off at 10:00am.
The President’s press secretary Lindah Nabusayi confirmed to this website on Monday morning maintaining that the meeting is closed.
“The President is meeting teachers at Kololo Ceremonial Grounds starting at 10am. The meeting is closed,” she said.
Earlier, UNATU’S general secretary Filbert Baguma had told sections of the media that the meeting was on but didn’t the exact venue.
“We are meeting the President tomorrow. The venue is not yet confirmed but we are meeting him at 11am over the issue of Arts teachers’ salary enhancement, “he told Daily Monitor.
“We expect to get feedback on our issue of salary enhancement in the 2022/2023 financial year. Nothing else,” Baguma added.
Mr Baguma said that about 250 Unatu members arrived in Kampala Sunday to attend an emergency meeting that the union’s leadership convened to discuss the two letters that they received from the Ministry of Public service this week, directing teachers to resume work.
He said that during Sunday’s meeting, Unatu members resolved to continue with the industrial action until their salary is enhanced.
“Members came from all districts municipalities and cities. The status quo remains. Industrial action continues. What the teachers want is an increment this financial year. No going back before receiving money,” Mr Baguma said.
Public Service Minister Mr Wilson Muruli Mukasa and his Permanent Secretary, Ms Catherine Bitarakwate wrote to Unatu leadership and directed teachers go back and teach since government was committed to enhancing salaries for all public servants but in a phased manner.
“My fellow teachers, go back and teach. The President and the top leadership of the country has considered enhancement of the scientists in financial year, 2022/2023. Enhancement of all the teachers and other employees in the public service shall be included in the medium and long run as resources become available through further expansion of sectors like agriculture, services, ICT and Industry,” Muruli said
“The matter has been discussed and consultations escalated to the Executive arm of government and therefore, this is to request that in the interest of our learners and in view of the ongoing recovery of the lost time, your esteemed and valued teaching fraternity resumes teaching at the earliest time,” Ms Bitarakwate also said in her letter to the teachers dated June 30.
In response to the letters, Mr Baguma called for a crisis meeting for members of the National Executive Council and branch managers to decide the fate of teachers who are currently on industrial action over what they describe as discriminatory salary enhancement.
