By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Kampala Parents Primary School, a prominent private institution owned by business tycoon Sudhir Ruparelia, has been thrust into the spotlight after teachers staged a strike over salary disputes and alleged discriminatory practices.
The teachers claim they are underpaid and exploited, accusing the school management of favoring foreign employees over Ugandan nationals. In a viral video, one teacher decried the pay disparities, highlighting that while some teachers earn as little as between UGX200,000 and UGX 600,000 per month, security guards of Indian nationality are reportedly paid up to UGX 3 million and in U.S. dollars.
“I am getting only 600,000 shillings. Teachers are going home with 600,000, while gatekeepers are getting 3 million because they are Indians and are paid in dollars,” the teacher said.
The highly charged striking teachers raised concerns about the school’s high tuition fees, with each pupil’s fees reportedly exceeding UGX 2 million per term, and questioned why their salaries remain low despite these substantial revenues.
“How can teachers get 200,000 or 600,000 shillings when parents are paying 2 million shillings per term for each pupil?” another teacher questioned.
In addition to salary grievances, the teachers accused the administration of providing poor-quality meals to pupils despite the high fees charged to parents.
“The food they’re giving to kids is very poor compared to what the parents are paying,” one teacher remarked.
The teachers are demanding a substantial salary increase to match the cost of living and reflect their contribution to the school. The strike comes at a critical time, as schools across the country prepare to close for the third term holidays, marking the end of the academic year.
Located in Naguru, Nakawa Division, Kampala Parents Primary School was founded in 1975 by former politician Kasole Bwerere, who later sold it to Sudhir Ruparelia, one of Uganda’s wealthiest businessmen.
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Efforts to reach the school’s management for a comment on the allegations and the ongoing strike were unsuccessful by press time.
