Imperial Royale Hotel, Kampala | 19th June 2025
The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), in partnership with the Canadian Teachers’ Federation (CTF/FCE) and with funding from Global Affairs Canada, officially closed out the Simameni Project in a high-level event held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala. The meeting marked the culmination of a five-year journey aimed at improving access to, retention in, and educational opportunities for secondary school-going girls in Uganda’s Teso and Western regions.
Derived from a Swahili word “Simameni,” means “Stand Together,” the project stood as a powerful call to action for stakeholders to unite in advancing girls’ secondary education. Since its launch in 2019, the project has impacted thousands of learners across eight districts: Serere, Ngora, Kumi, and Bukedea in Teso, and Kamwenge, Kyenjojo, Kibaale, and Kyegegwa in Western Uganda.
The event brought together select student beneficiaries, teachers, PTA and Board of Governors representatives, medical and cultural leaders, District education officials, and development partners. It provided a platform to share impact stories, reflect on achievements, and deliberate on sustainability strategies to carry the Simameni vision forward.
In her keynote address, Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education and Sports, expressed mixed emotions involving the sadness of seeing the project phase out, and the joy of witnessing its success. She praised the collaboration between UNATU, CTF, and Global Affairs Canada for their coordination and support in delivering tangible change. “What Simameni has done is what all schools in Uganda should be doing,” she remarked, highlighting the need for all educators to become champions of gender responsiveness.
Dr. Kedrace Turyagyenda, the Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education and Sports
Dr. Turyagyenda also called on teachers to be role models and encouraged district leaders to keep conversations about enrolment and retention alive in their communities. Emphasizing the critical role of wider societal support, she urged stakeholders to continue training parents, engaging school communities, and even sensitizing boda boda riders as part of a collective approach. “Simameni has showed us that when we get up and do something, great things happen,” she concluded.
The National Chairperson Mr. Tumuhimbise Zadock expressed heartfelt gratitude to Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, and the Ministry of Education and Sports for their unwavering support throughout the five-year initiative. He applauded the project’s success in enhancing access, retention, and completion rates for girls in secondary schools across the Western and Teso regions. Emphasizing that the impact of Simameni is visible in both schools and communities, he challenged stakeholders to actively engage in discussions on sustainability and scale-up. Mr. Tumuhimbise made a passionate appeal for continued support to expand the project’s gains nationwide, affirming UNATU’s readiness to lead future efforts in promoting gender equity and quality education. “Let this not be just an end, but a new beginning for greater collaboration” he concluded.
Mr. Baguma Filbert Bates, General Secretary of UNATU, applauded the project’s success in transforming not only girls’ education but also the mindset of communities. He credited community mobilization efforts with boosting parental involvement and creating safer, more inclusive learning environments.
Sr. Florence Imalingat, Headteacher of St. Elizabeth Girls’ SS Kidetok in Serere, spoke proudly about how Simameni had helped increase her school’s female enrolment from 250 to 700 students. She shared how trained teachers ventured into villages to bring back girls who had dropped out and how disciplinary standards among male teachers had improved due to increased gender sensitivity.
From the Western region, Dorothy Nalayita, a S6 student, gave a moving testimony. After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted her education, she faced financial hardship and even considered early marriage. “But this project came as a savior,” she said. Through Simameni, Dorothy returned to school, acquired vital life skills such as making sanitary pads, and regained confidence in her academic journey.
Speaking on behalf of CTF, Ms. Claudia Guidolin commended the educators and communities for embracing change and reducing early pregnancies through increased retention. She emphasized that over 1,000 teachers had been trained under Simameni and urged them to continue using their expertise to build a stronger, more inclusive society: “Educating a girl child is educating the whole nation.” She called for the Government of Uganda to increase Education funding.
In her closing remarks, Prof. Joyce Ayikoru Asiimwe from UNITE commended the Simameni Project for laying a strong foundation for gender-responsive education in Uganda. She highlighted that the upcoming national teacher education curriculum will be value-based and aligned with 21st-century teaching competencies, ensuring that new educators enter the profession equipped with gender-responsive knowledge and tools. This, she explained, will enhance the sustainability of Simameni’s impact by embedding gender equity into mainstream teaching practices. She also extended her sincere appreciation to Global Affairs Canada, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, and UNATU for their commitment to transforming lives through education.
As the Simameni Project officially closes, its legacy is only beginning. Stakeholders agreed that the momentum built over the past five years must not fade. From improved infrastructure and learning resources to life-changing mentorship and community engagement, Simameni has laid a solid foundation. The call now is for all sectors—schools, communities, government, and partners—to stand together, carry the torch forward, and ensure every child, regardless of gender, has access to quality education.
