Museveni Pay Pledge Takes Shape as Teachers Get Shs535Bn Salary Boost
The government has unveiled a major funding increase for the education sector, with over Shs535 billion allocated to enhance teachers’ salaries in the 2026/27 financial year—marking a significant step toward fulfilling President Yoweri Museveni’s long-standing pledge to address pay disparities within the profession.
The new allocation is part of a broader Shs989.28 billion boost, pushing the education budget from Shs5.56 trillion to Shs6.63 trillion. The move reverses earlier proposed cuts and reinforces the sector’s central role in Uganda’s human capital development agenda.
Presenting the Ministry of Education’s policy statement to Parliament, Permanent Secretary Kedrace Turyagyenda said Shs535.1 billion has been ring-fenced specifically for salary improvements targeting more than 155,000 teachers nationwide.
She noted that the additional funding followed revisions in the second Budget Call Circular, with part of the resources also earmarked for strategic investments such as sports infrastructure ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
The salary enhancement is part of a phased government plan to address disparities between science teachers—who benefited from substantial pay raises in the 2022/23 financial year—and their counterparts in arts and primary education.
Officials estimate that fully harmonising teacher salaries will require about Shs2.5 trillion over time. The reforms are aligned with the National Teacher Policy (2019) and broader development targets under the Fourth National Development Plan.
According to Commissioner for Planning Michael Aliyo, the increment will benefit a wide range of educators, from headteachers to classroom assistants in both primary and secondary schools, with funds to be channelled through local governments.
The ministry also plans to recruit 3,000 additional teachers—1,842 in science subjects and 1,158 in arts—to address staffing gaps, particularly in newly established secondary schools.
MPs Demand Clarity
Despite welcoming the funding boost, several legislators called for clearer details on how the salary increments will translate into actual earnings for individual teachers.
Connie Nakayenze urged the ministry to provide specific figures, noting that while the inclusion of arts and primary teachers is commendable, clarity on take-home pay remains critical.
Similarly, Joseph Ssewungu and Francis Mwijukye pressed for simplified breakdowns, warning that without clear communication, the reforms risk being perceived as abstract by teachers on the ground.
Lawmakers also called for additional measures, including incentives for teachers in hard-to-reach areas and decentralised recruitment to improve retention.
Broader Sector Investments
Beyond salaries, the funding package includes allocations for infrastructure, institutional development, and sports. Key areas include financing for development projects, operationalisation of teacher training bodies, and preparations for AFCON 2027.
Public universities are also set to benefit, with institutions such as Makerere University and Muni University receiving funding for infrastructure, research, and health training facilities.
Challenges Remain
The latest reforms follow years of pressure from the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), which has consistently highlighted inequities in pay and working conditions.
While the new allocation signals a policy shift toward gradual salary harmonisation, the sector still faces a funding gap estimated at Shs1.89 trillion, raising concerns about the sustainability of reforms.
Analysts caution that without clear implementation plans and transparent salary structures, the additional funding may fall short of delivering meaningful change in classrooms across the country.
