Public Service PS Bitarakwate Invites UNATU for Talks on Teachers’ Strike

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Service, Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, has invited the leadership of Uganda National Teachers’ Association (UNATU) for talks regarding the ongoing teachers’ strike.

This is according to a June 27 letter addressed to the General Secretary Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU).

“Invitation for a meeting with Ministry of Public Service on the ongoing industrial action by UNATU,” reads the reference of the letter copied to the Minister of Public Service.

“Reference is made to the ongoing Industrial Action by Uganda National Teachers’ Union which started on 15th June 2022,” Bitarakwate wrote.

She went on: “This is therefore to invite you and four of your Union Executive Members for a meeting with the Ministry of Public Service on Friday Ist July 2022 at 2:00pm in the Ministry Boardroom.”

She said the meeting will focus on issues raised for Industrial Action.

This comes days after the same PS issued a statement threatening teachers to return to school or be dismissed from their jobs.

“…all employed teachers are advised to resume duty at respective workstations…any government-employed teacher who does not comply to this call will be regarded as having abandoned duty and resigned from public service,” she threatened and even advised those who can’t work under prevailing terms to resign from service.

Filbert Baguma, the UNATU secretary-general, responded with a counter statement urging teachers to stand their ground.