By Kabugho Elias
KAMPALA, Uganda : The Government has unveiled a proposed salary enhancement plan targeting arts teachers and primary school administrators, in a bid to improve working conditions and strengthen motivation across the education sector.
Under the proposal, primary school headteachers would see their monthly pay increase from UGX 980,000 to UGX 1.5 million, while deputy headteachers would move from UGX 773,000 to UGX 1.3 million.
Officials say the proposed adjustments are part of wider public sector reforms aimed at improving equity in pay structures and addressing persistent concerns over low remuneration in the teaching profession.
A senior Education Ministry source said the reforms are intended to restore dignity and efficiency in school leadership.
“The goal is to ensure that those entrusted with managing schools are adequately compensated for their responsibilities and workload,” the official said.
The proposal has sparked cautious optimism among teachers, many of whom have long complained about stagnant wages despite rising living costs.
“If this is implemented, it will be a big relief for headteachers who manage large schools with very limited resources,” said a teacher in Mukono District.
“We welcome the announcement, but the government should move beyond proposals and implement these changes quickly,” another teacher noted.
Education analysts argue that improved pay could help address systemic challenges such as absenteeism, poor morale, and teacher turnover, particularly in rural schools where staffing gaps remain a major issue.
However, the proposal has not yet been tied to a specific implementation timeline, with officials yet to confirm when the revised salary structure will take effect or how it will be financed.
The Government is expected to provide further details in upcoming budget communications, where the full framework of the education salary reforms is likely to be clarified.
