Museveni Pledges Phased Salary Increase for Teachers

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has reaffirmed his government's commitment to increasing the salaries of teachers in public service, albeit in a phased manner, due to financial constraints. Speaking at the belated World Teachers' Day celebrations held on October 19, 2024, at Lugogo Cricket Oval, Kampala, the president assured educators that the government is working towards improving their welfare, but progress would be gradual.

"Our intention is clear: the economy is growing, inflation is low, and our goal is to pay all public servants well while expanding the workforce," President Museveni stated. He noted that Uganda needs approximately 300,000 teachers to meet the current student population, but financial limitations have prevented hiring at this scale.

The theme for the event, "Valuing Teachers’ Voices Towards a New Social Contract for Education," emphasized the significance of teacher welfare in national development. Museveni highlighted the government's prioritization of salary enhancements, starting with science teachers, and promised that arts teachers would soon be considered.

The president also touched on broader national issues, explaining the government’s struggle to balance recovery from past economic collapse with meeting the needs of a growing population. He pointed out that, despite limited resources, Uganda’s literacy rate had risen from 43% to 76%, a testament to the government's mass education efforts. “Those who were laughing at our strategy, now you see? We focus on empowering everyone,” Museveni said.

In addition to the salary pledges, President Museveni fulfilled a Shs 20 billion promise to support three National Teachers’ Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (SACCOs), which will help teachers, especially in rural areas, access affordable credit.

The First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Museveni, also addressed the gathering, praising the resilience of teachers. She emphasized that despite challenges, many private school teachers continue to work diligently, even with lower and more irregular pay than their public counterparts. “It is not just about supervision; it is about how much the teacher values their job,” she remarked.

The event concluded with the recognition of 12 outstanding teachers through the "Teachers Making a Difference" competition. The top six winners will receive professional development opportunities in Ireland, with the overall winner, Moses Echweru, receiving national acclaim for his contribution to education.

President Museveni expressed gratitude to international partners, particularly Ireland, for their continued support of Uganda’s education sector. "I want to thank Ireland, they are very good friends, always helping sincerely," he said.

This year’s celebrations were attended by key government officials, educators, and development partners, all united in their support for the teaching profession in Uganda.