National Union of Trade Unions in Uganda (NOTU) chairperson, Usher Wilson Owere

WORKERS MP, Margaret Rwabashaija, has embarked on a new move to revitalize workers unions across the country so that they can have solidarity and a single voice to use in having their issues heard by the powers that be.

Speaking during a meeting of union representatives in Kampala recently, Rwabashaija, stated that Uganda has many workers but a big number of them are not fully registered with their respective unions something which she says has continued undermining worker’s unions making them very weak  to handle e interests of their members.

Rwabashaija stressed that is a big challenge of having all workers registered for effective functioning of the union so as to have the worker’s objectives realized.

The National Union of Trade Unions in Uganda (NOTU) chairperson, Usher Wilson Owere, addd that such initiatives led by the workers MP need to be fully supported for workers matters to be critically heard but also called for increased advocacy in the campaigns if interests of workers at to further be lifted.

Meanwhile, during a separate meeting in Kampala, Owere urged heads of different worker’s unions in the country to take up the mantle and liberate workers in the country.

Speaking during the ongoing training of the unions heads at teacher’s house in Wandegeya, Owere,says that workers in the country are suffering but to his dismay,the leaders heading different Union are spending a lot of time in fighting person interests and battles.

He also notes that currently, the bargaining power of the unions is very low making it hard to fight for the rights of workers on the country.

He calls upon all members to stand up, unite and fight together to transform the lives of Ugandan workers.

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The resolution has been reached following a meeting yesterday between president Museveni and teachers’ representatives at State House Entebbe.

Teachers’ Union secretary for planning Gonza Ssensamba has told reporters at Teachers House in Kampala that the meeting agreed that a ministerial committee including Finance, Education and Public Service review the budget and find where to raise the money for increment of teachers pay.

Ssensamba says the committee that will work with teachers union leaders has one month to present its proposals to the president.

He appeals to all teachers to resume work until 28th August when they expect a positive action from government.

Ssensamba cautions school heads that threatened teachers that participated in the strike that started in some schools on Wednesday.

Further more, yesterday’s meeting resolved that monies for UPE and USE schools from government be sent before the opening of next term to enable schools successfully operate.

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The teachers are seeking 100% salary increment to help them to cope with the double digit inflation. Several MPS have sympathized with the teachers saying that government needs to scale up the teachers’ salaries.

Shadow minister for education Frank Akello says that originally Ugandan teachers are paid well less compared to its sister neighbors like Kenya and Tanzania where a teacher earns about 200 US dollars as a starting salary per month.

Akello demands that government looks into the demands of the teachers’ welfare including housing and transport allowance. She says that the teachers’ demands can be met even by way of supplementary budget.

Ngora MP Jackline Amongine advised the teachers to form SACCO that can be assisted by government through the prosperity for all programme.
By Mugisa Isaac Mathias

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The meeting of teachers chaired by their chairperson under their umbrella association , Uganda National  Teachers union Margaret Rwabashaija, decided to  announce the strike on Wednesday this week after consulting all teachers.

Uganda Martyrs university students in class

The teachers are considering to  go on a sit down strike of seven days while students are still at school.

The teachers demand 100% increment of their salary so that they earn 540,000 shillings per month from 270,000 shillings.

The secretary in charge of Welfare with Uganda National Teachers Association Francis kemera said that teachers in the recent read budget were not catered for in terms of salary increment yet inflation is sky rocketing and the cost of living is unbearable.

He said that if teachers do not go on sit down strike, government will never listen to their concerns since it only listens to those striking.

In 2005, government had proposed to increase the teacher’s salary to 450,000 shillings from 270,000 shillings but it was not approved.

By Isaac Senabulya

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