Government Moves to Equalize Arts and Science Teachers’ Salaries in Upcoming Budget

The government has announced plans to enhance and harmonize the salaries of Arts teachers with those of their Science counterparts beginning in the next financial year, in a move aimed at addressing long-standing pay disparities in the education sector.

The revelation was made by State Minister of Finance in charge of General Duties, Hon. Henry Musasizi, while speaking at a fundraising event organized by Kakore Rugambwa Catholic Parish in Rubanda District on Monday.

Musasizi, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for Rubanda East, said the decision follows a directive from Yoweri Museveni, instructing the Ministry of Finance to prioritize the elimination of salary inequalities between Arts and Science teachers.

“You all know how teachers have been protesting about salary disparities. This issue will be resolved starting July, because we have been instructed by the President to look for the required funds and include them in the next budget,” Musasizi said.

CUE IN… MUSASIZI ON TEACHERS’ SALARIES

The announcement has sparked cautious optimism among teachers’ unions, with leaders welcoming the move but demanding clarity on the exact figures and implementation framework.

Ms. Teopista Akello, President of the Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers’ Union, confirmed that although they had been briefed about the planned enhancement, they were still awaiting official communication from the Ministry of Public Service regarding the specific salary structure.

Akello revealed that union leaders previously met with President Museveni and officials from relevant ministries on March 10, 2026, where they were informed of a phased salary increment plan of 25 percent annually over four years. However, at the time, the Ministry of Finance had indicated that there were no available funds to support immediate salary adjustments.

CUE IN… AKELLO

“If the President has given another directive to align our salaries with those of Science teachers next financial year, I am not yet aware of it. However, we have confirmation that he ordered the enhancement to be included in the upcoming budget,” Akello noted.

She added that industrial action by humanities teachers had only been suspended following the Presidential directive and warned that the strike could resume if the government fails to present clear figures and timelines.

Similarly, the Secretary General of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union, Filbert Baguma, said he was only aware of the earlier proposal for gradual increments.

“You know, by law, the President is actually the overall Minister of Finance, and the ministers manage the budget with delegated authority. So, if he has instructed them to find the funds, they will do so,” Baguma said.

Baguma further observed that since 2022, when demands for salary enhancements intensified, the education sector has experienced declining teaching quality due to low morale among Arts teachers.

While the government’s latest commitment has been welcomed as a step in the right direction, education stakeholders say its success will depend on timely implementation and transparency in the budgeting process.

The planned salary harmonization is expected to be captured in the forthcoming national budget, offering renewed hope to thousands of Arts teachers across the country who have long decried unequal pay.