Kampala, Uganda – State Minister for Public Service, Hon. Mary Grace Mugasa, has told teachers to go back and teach before they replace them, citing the government’s lack of funds to meet their salary demands.
The Minister’s comments, made during a press conference at the media center, comes at a time when thousands of teachers across the country have laid down their chalk in protest of unequal salary structures, a crisis that continues to paralyze learning in secondary and tertiary institutions.
“The Government does not have money to increase salaries for arts teachers right now. If you don’t want to work, you may be replaced,” Mugasa said.
Her remarks have been widely criticized by education advocates, teacher unions, and opposition politicians who accuse the government of being insensitive to the plight of educators and prioritizing other expenditures over the welfare of civil servants.
Arts teachers, particularly in public schools, have been on strike for weeks demanding salary harmonization with their science counterparts.
Since 2022, the government has implemented a lucrative pay raise for science teachers, leaving arts educators feeling marginalized and devalued.
“We’re not asking for luxury; we’re demanding fairness,” said Lydia Nakirya, an English teacher in Soroti. “Now they want to threaten us with replacement? That’s not leadership, that’s intimidation.”
Minister Mugasa’s statement that there’s no money is being met with skepticism from the public, especially in light of reports about exorbitant government spending, alleged corruption scandals, and expensive political events.
“It’s always no money for teachers, doctors, or nurses but plenty for luxury cars, endless delegations, and campaign tours,” one user wrote on X. “This is not a broke government. This is a mismanaged one.”
Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, also weighed in, calling the Minister’s remarks “a threat wrapped in arrogance.”
“Instead of resolving a crisis, government officials are issuing ultimatums. Uganda’s educators deserve better than warnings and insults,” he posted.
Civil society groups like Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) and Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) have called on the President and the Ministry of Education to intervene immediately, warning that morale in the sector is dangerously low.
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