education 12 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Government Urged to Keep Teacher Training Open to Multiple Institutions
Educationists are pushing back against government plans to make the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) the sole provider of teacher training, arguing that no single institution can meet the national demand. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/open-teacher-training-to-all-institutions-government-urged-5629826
Education stakeholders are urging the government to reconsider proposals that would centralize teacher training under the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE). Critics argue that UNITE lacks the capacity to train the vast number of teachers required by Uganda’s education system.
At a recent graduation ceremony for the Luigi Giussani Institute of Higher Education (LGIHE), Principal Stella Rose Akongo emphasized the need for a collaborative approach involving all accredited training institutions. She questioned the feasibility of UNITE’s five campuses handling the national demand, suggesting that regulatory oversight from the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) would be a more effective way to ensure quality and standardization across all institutions.
The push for UNITE’s exclusive mandate stems from the National Teacher Policy 2019 and is being integrated into the draft National Higher Education Policy. Ministry of Education Spokesperson Dr. Dennis Mugimba explained that the current fragmented training methods lead to inconsistent classroom delivery, with different universities employing varied approaches despite accreditation.
Labor unions also share concerns about the proposed monopoly. Aron Mugaiga, Secretary General of the Uganda Professional Teachers Union (UPSTU), highlighted the potential strain on UNITE’s resources to absorb the existing student teacher population and current university staff. He warned that centralizing training could exacerbate teacher shortages, especially with the recent closure of core Primary Teachers’ Colleges.
Meanwhile, LGIHE celebrated the graduation of 115 students with certificates, diplomas, and degrees. Ministry representative Cleophas Mugyenyi encouraged the graduates to embrace reforms like the Competence-Based Curriculum and the integration of artificial intelligence, stressing that while technology is evolving, the core role of a teacher remains irreplaceable.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)