The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party has called upon the government of Uganda to dialogue with the teachers so as to iron out issues behind the industrial strike.
In a media briefing earlier today at the party headquarters, the UPC head of Media and Communications, Muzeyi Faizo said that the best hope is to see the Government dealing with teachers who are unionized with established leadership and membership.
“It is normal for the talks to breakdown or not to come up with an immediate positive alternative depending on the matter, but what is important is the spirit of dialogue and avoiding extreme positions while creating more opportunities for engagement,” Muzeyi stressed.
The Communications Officer added that UPC discourages any forms of intimidation to teachers as it may worsen the situation.
“At times the industrial actions can shift positions from the table to courts of law and if it does not get resolved, we can see real challenges to the country,” He added.
Muzeyi noted that UPC welcomes the move by the Government to invite the Uganda National Teachers Union (UNATU) for further talks as far as the industrial action is concerned because that is what the Government ought to have done in the first place as opposed to issuing out threats and warning statements.
Today, the Vice President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E Jessica Alupo met with the UNATU leadership to dialogue the way out on the ongoing strike. However, the meeting was fruitless .
The meeting was attended by the Minister of Public Service Hon. Muruli Mukasa, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Public Service, Catherine Bitarakwate and the Workers’ MPs.
Proceedings of the meeting shall be reported to President Museveni as the leadership of NATU holds further internal meetings on the same.
The UNATU Secretary General, Filbert Baguma has however insisted that the strike is still ongoing until government responds to their plight.