Kampala, Uganda | The Uganda Professional Humanities Teachers’ Union (UPHTU) has come out strongly against what it calls acts of intimidation and threats directed at its members by certain government officials.
The union accuses Resident District Commissioners, Resident City Commissioners, their deputies, Chief Administrative Officers, District Education Officers, Principal Human Resource Officers, and Headteachers of attempting to coerce teachers into abandoning the ongoing industrial action that began on June 6, 2025.
In a statement issued from its headquarters in Kampala, the union reiterated that the strike is lawful and grounded in the provisions of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda and the Labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement) Act of 2006.
The leadership maintained that their action is aimed at pushing for the resolution of longstanding salary disparities affecting humanities teachers and pressing the government to fulfill earlier commitments made to the profession.
The union made it clear that its demands are directed at the highest levels of government, and any engagement regarding the ongoing strike should be channeled exclusively through the National Executive Committee led by Acting President Teopista Akello.
It dismissed attempts by local officials to intervene or threaten individual teachers as unlawful and contrary to the spirit of industrial harmony.
UPHTU called on all humanities teachers across the country to remain at home and await a formal response from the government.
The union stressed that the strike is not political, but a peaceful and constitutional effort to seek justice and equity within the teaching profession.
It emphasized that threats and intimidation only serve to worsen the situation and delay possible resolution.
In the same breath, the union urged the relevant arms of government to engage constructively and resolve the matter through dialogue.
It also reminded stakeholders that teachers are not enemies of the state but essential partners in national development, deserving of fair treatment and respect for their rights.
