More than 250 primary school teachers in Arua district have threatened to go on a sit down strike over government failure to clear their salary arrears.
The teachers' claim they are demanding for 124 million shillings in salary arrears accrued over the last two years.
The teachers claim the money accumulated after some of their names went missing from the payroll under unclear circumstances.
Some teachers were scrapped off the payroll for allegedly absconding from duty.
Despite the anomalies on the education payroll, some teachers continued teaching in the hope that the anomalies would be rectified and their salaries cleared.
Now the teachers have alerted the Uganda Teachers National teacher's union Arua branch leaders about their planned strike.
In their letter to Richard Andama Ferua, the district LC V chairman, the teachers warned that they would demonstrate and later abandon teaching if the salary arrears are not paid by end of month.
But the move by the teachers to lay down their tools has already sent shock waves among the district leaders.
Abiru Lydia, the district personnel officer, has asked asked the teachers to remain calm because they have finally received their list from the ministry of public service for payment.
//Cue in: "now that they have..."
Cue out...there was this delay."//
But for Ibrahim Abiriga, the Residents District commissioner, has warned that any teacher who goes on strike risks prosecution. He says many civil servants have not been paid and none of them is contemplating going on strike.
This is not the first time teachers in Arua district are planning to lay down their tools.
In 2008 teachers all over the district demonstrated in the streets of Arua town and later laid down their tools after government failed to pay their salaries. Many schools were closed for lack of teachers.
