Government and Unions Prepare for High-Level Dialogue on Public Service Grievances
The Ministry of Public Service has organized a high-level meeting scheduled for Tuesday, November 11, 2025, to address longstanding concerns raised by major labor unions. The discussion will focus on issues such as salary disparities, promotion structures, and other employment-related challenges within the public service sector.
This meeting is expected to bring together representatives from several key unions, including the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), the Uganda Local Government Workers Union, and the Uganda Technical and Vocational Trainers Union. These organizations have been vocal in their demands for fair treatment and improved working conditions for public service employees.
Over the past few months, these unions have engaged in a series of industrial actions to protest what they perceive as the government’s failure to address persistent pay inequalities and the unfair classification of certain roles. The planned engagement comes after a period of significant labor unrest across various public service sectors.
UNATU initiated the wave of strikes on September 15, 2025, and suspended them after 32 days on October 17, 2025, to allow for dialogue. Similarly, the Uganda Technical and Vocational Trainers Union began its strike on the same date, accusing the Ministry of Public Service of not honoring earlier promises made during negotiations that started in November 2024.
In solidarity, the Uganda Local Government Workers Union joined the strikes on October 1, 2025, but later called off their action for three months to give dialogue a chance. The unions’ main demands include:
- Reclassification and harmonization of salaries across all cadres
- Recognition of technical and vocational professions as “science” fields to qualify for enhanced remuneration
- Payment of salary arrears owed to some staff
- Correction of misclassification of certain positions within the public service
The industrial actions were also aimed at addressing the widening pay gap between science and arts teachers, a matter that has caused tension in the education sector since the introduction of differentiated pay structures.
The government had previously declared the strikes illegal, warning employees who failed to return to work of disciplinary action, including possible dismissal. Minister of Public Service Wilson Muruli Mukasa reiterated that the strikes did not follow proper dispute resolution procedures as stipulated by law.
“The unions did not meet the legal requirements for industrial action; therefore, their strikes were not recognized as lawful,” he said.
However, the unions have consistently maintained that their actions were justified and necessary, citing the government’s continued inaction despite multiple engagements and assurances.
In a statement, the Secretary General of the Uganda Local Government Workers Union, Hassan Lwabayi Mudiba, confirmed receipt of the invitation letter from the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service, Catherine Bitarakwate.
“On Friday, I received a letter from the Permanent Secretary inviting us for an inter-ministerial meeting on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. This follows our union’s petition to the Right Hon. Speaker and the subsequent suspension of industrial action. We are ready to attend the meeting and hopeful that it will yield a positive outcome,” Mudiba said.
The upcoming session is being viewed as a crucial opportunity to resolve long-standing labor tensions and rebuild trust between the government and public sector unions. Many workers are hopeful that the discussions will result in clear commitments and timelines for implementing salary reforms and promotion reviews.
As the meeting approaches, the mood among union members is one of cautious optimism. The outcome will likely determine whether industrial calm is restored or if the threat of renewed strikes looms over the country’s public service.