More than 30 primary school teachers yesterday stormed the district headquarters of Mbale demanding payment of their arrears.

The teachers say they haven't seen a pay cheque since last July. The teachers were at the district to meet the Chief Administrative Officer, who was out of office. One of the teachers, Justine Nafuna from Watsemba primary school, says they are finding it hard to continue teaching.

"Life for some of us is not good at all, we are renting, we have to eat and dress but we have no money to do all that," she said. "How can you concentrate in class when the landlord is on your neck demanding for his rent?"

Daniel Buyera from Bubenze primary school said they had been patient for far too long yet they are under a lot of pressure to teach despite their predicament.

"We want an explanation from the CAO as to why we have not been paid our arrears from July last year," they demanded.

But the only response they got was from the officer in charge of personnel, Simon Watti, who told them to contact the area Stanbic bank manager. The District Education Officer also ignored the teachers and instead drove off.