Teaching has resumed in Kamwenge District after a two-week strike by arts teachers came to an end, following government assurances regarding salary enhancement.
The breakthrough was achieved during a meeting with First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, who pledged that the government would consider salary adjustments for arts teachers in the 2026/2027 national budget.
Stephen Barinaitwe, the Kamwenge District Education Officer, confirmed the development and noted that learning activities had returned to normal in all government-aided schools.
“Following the fruitful talks with the minister, our arts teachers have resumed teaching. We are grateful for their patience and continued dedication to education,” Barinaitwe said.
He also announced plans to conduct a district-wide inspection to verify teacher attendance and monitor lesson recovery efforts.
“Starting tomorrow, I will be visiting schools across Kamwenge to ensure that all teachers are back in class and learning is progressing smoothly,” he added.
The strike had disrupted academic activities in several secondary schools, highlighting long-standing frustration over the pay gap between arts and science teachers. The teachers’ return has brought a sense of relief to students, parents, and school leaders.
A teacher at Kamwenge Secondary School expressed cautious optimism:
“We hope the government will honor its word. We want to focus on teaching and shaping the future of our learners.”
The resolution marks a temporary calm in an ongoing debate about wage equity within Uganda’s education sector, with stakeholders closely watching the government’s next steps.
