SOLIDARITY: Pupils of Northroad Primary School, Mbale, yesterday joined teachers in the protest over poor pay. PHOTO BY DAVID MAFABI. 

Kampala
The Uganda National Teachers Union (Unatu) yesterday called on its members to go ahead with their strike over a salary increase dispute with the government. Teacher’s representatives countrywide made the announcement after a meeting held at Bat Valley Primary School in Kampala.
The teachers rejected government explanations that there is no money to cater for a salary increase. Last week, Union officials held a series of meetings with ministry of education officials and MPs

The Unatu officials welcomed the initiative to meet President Museveni today, but maintained that the strike should take place as a measure to force government to listen to their plea. “Government is not taking us seriously. This strike was forced by government on us by failing to give us what can feed our children and pay rent and it is this that forced teachers to go on strike,” said Unatu Secretary General Francis Kamara.
He blamed government for its alleged failure to engage teachers in dialogue. Unatu had called a nationwide strike to begin yesterday, but the first day was marked by confusion as a section of teachers went about with their duties.
Mr Patrick Woling, the Ngora District Unatu representatives implored his colleagues to join the strike saying it was the only way they could get a salary increment. “We have children in schools, we need rent and transport, we shall talk to the President but the strike must go on because when he was negotiating with Tito Okello in Nairobi, his boys were advancing,” Mr Woling said.
No compromise
Pleas by Unatu president, Margaret Rwabushaija to have the strike postponed until President Museveni holds a meeting with Unatu fell on deaf ears. Members remained defiant during the meeting and accused the leadership of employing double standards.
“For those of you, who are compromised, tell Parliament to determine and pass our budget the way they always do when they join Parliament. Our way forward is that tools down, let them look for us and not us looking for them,” said one of the teachers.
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