The government has labeled the ongoing strike by teachers, along with a newly announced industrial action by local government workers, as unlawful. It warned that any public servants participating in these strikes risk being deemed to have “abandoned duty.”

In a statement released on Thursday morning, Minister of Public Service Wilson Muruli Mukasa condemned the strikes for disrupting ongoing talks regarding salary improvements and for breaching established procedures under the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council.

“The commencement of industrial action by some teachers on 15th September 2025 and the planned industrial action by Local Government Workers from 1st October 2025, when discussions have not even started, is uncalled for and jeopardizes the cordial relationship the Government has enjoyed with the Labour Unions,” said Muruli Mukasa.

Teachers have now been on strike for more than two weeks, while local government workers joined the protest earlier this week, pressing for immediate pay increases. According to data from the Ministry of Public Service, since the 2017/2018 financial year, salary enhancements have been extended to 125,276 public officers, with teachers among the main beneficiaries. As it stands, 77 percent of public officers earn according to the set long-term pay structure; however, 66 percent have not received any adjustment since 2014/2015.

The Minister emphasized President Museveni’s pledge to gradually implement salary increments, including a planned 25 percent raise for humanities teachers in the 2026/2027 fiscal year. Proposals for adjustments covering teachers, public university staff, and other low-paid officers have already been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for consideration in the upcoming budget.

“In view of the above, the 90-day notice contained in your letters does not meet the legal requirements. Accordingly, any plans by your unions to proceed with industrial action under the circumstances are illegal and should not be pursued,” Muruli Mukasa warned.

He urged union leaders to cancel the strike actions and instructed all striking teachers and local government employees to resume work within one week. “You are hereby enjoined to call off the industrial action, and for your members…to resume duty immediately and not beyond one week or else you will be regarded as having abandoned duty and resigned accordingly,” the statement read.

Instructions have also been issued to Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks, District Education Officers, and Resident District/City Commissioners to monitor compliance and report any public officers who defy the directive.