The Government has declared the ongoing and planned strikes by labour unions illegal, urging all public officers involved to return to their duties immediately.
The industrial action began with teachers on September 15, 2025, and local government workers had also announced their intention to join the strike from October 1, 2025.
The strikes stem from long-standing frustrations over low salaries and unmet demands for improved pay.
However, government officials argue that the protests are unlawful and premature since the formal dispute resolution process has not been fully explored.
In a statement issued from the Uganda Media Centre on Thursday, October 2, 2025, Wilson Muruli Mukasa, the Minister of Public Service, emphasized that legal requirements had not been met by the unions.
“On the legal aspect of the strikes no union has obtained the certificate required by law from the Chairperson of the Public Service Negotiating and Consultative Council. Any plans to proceed with industrial action under these circumstances are illegal and should not be pursued,” he said.
The Minister warned that those who continue to withhold their labour despite the government’s directive risk severe consequences.
“We therefore appeal to all members of the Labour Unions to call off the strikes and return to work immediately, failing which they will be regarded as having abandoned their posts,” Mukasa stressed.
He further explained that the Government has made significant progress over the years in enhancing salaries for public officers, despite financial constraints.
Uganda’s Public Service, which currently comprises 368,291 personnel, has seen 125,276 workers benefit from salary adjustments since the Financial Year 2017/2018.
“Government has been fulfilling its pledge to ensure that all Public Officers are paid competitive salaries in a phased and sustainable manner. Despite multiple economic challenges, we have continued to honour our promise to workers,” Mukasa said.
The Minister also gave an update on the ongoing budget planning process for the Financial Year 2026/2027.
He revealed that financial proposals for further salary enhancements for teachers and other public servants who earn below 25% of the approved long-term pay targets had already been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration.
“Consultations and negotiations on salary enhancement are still ongoing, and the dispute settlement machinery has not been exhausted,” he added.
The Ministry appealed directly to the leadership of labour unions to call off the strike and instead engage government through dialogue.
Workers who are already participating in the strike were given a one-week ultimatum to resume duty.
To enforce the directive, the Ministry has tasked Chief Administrative Officers, Town Clerks, District and City Education Officers, as well as Resident District and City Commissioners, to closely monitor compliance.
They have also been instructed to take appropriate disciplinary action against officers who defy the order.
The Government insists that while workers’ demands are recognized, illegal strikes only disrupt services and undermine efforts to build a sustainable wage structure.
