Teachers vow to strike

Government-aided primary school teachers in Masindi Municipality are planning a sit-down strike on Monday over delayed March and April salaries.

In a letter dated April 27, 2016, addressed to the town clerk Masindi Municipal Council, the chairman Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) in Masindi Municipality, Mr Emmanuel Mugisa, said teachers are going through hardship due to the delayed payment.
He said the municipal authorities had promised to pay the two months salaries by April 24, but the teachers’ accounts are still ‘dry’.

“This is therefore to notify you that we shall be withdrawing our labour on May 2, 2016, in case the two-month salary is not paid,” Mr Mugisa’s letter reads in part.
The letter was copied to the secretary general Unatu, the Masindi Resident District Commissioner, and the principal education officer Masindi municipality.

More not yet paid
However, the deputy town clerk Masindi Municipal Council, Mr Francis Atulinde, said it is not only teachers who have not got salaries but the problem cuts across.
Mr Atulinde added that not all teachers have missed their salary.
“Some money meant for teacher’s salaries was diverted and paid gratuity for one person, leaving some teachers unpaid,” he said.