On 2nd September 2024, a UNATU Branch Staff Workshop was held at Grand Global Hotel, Kampala. The workshop brought together key personnel, including the General Secretary, the Human Resource Officer, the Vice Regional Chairperson, the Regional Coordinator for Central Region, and Branch Chairpersons along with their office administrators from across the Central Region.
The Vice Regional Chairperson, Nambooze Esther, opened the meeting by expressing her gratitude to all participants for their dedication and commitment to UNATU. “Thank you for being there for us. We rely on you,” she remarked, emphasizing the importance of member satisfaction and the collective efforts of the regional team. She also acknowledged the newly elected branch office assistants, stating, “All we do is for member satisfaction.” She also commended the regional team and the chairpersons for their continuous efforts in ensuring the smooth operation of the region.
Regional Coordinator, Kamoga Cissy, led a session on introductions and recognized new staff members from KCCA, Kasanda, and Kiboga. She thanked the branch chairpersons for their recruitment efforts and outlined the expectations, norms and objectives of the workshop. “I appreciate the chairpersons who conducted recruitment,” she noted, setting a constructive tone for the discussions that followed
The Human Resource Officer, Pamela Abaru, delivered a comprehensive presentation on key policy issues and the code of conduct at work. She highlighted the importance of punctuality, attendance, understanding the leave policies and contracts. “It is crucial that everyone adheres to these policies to maintain professionalism,” she urged, adding that appraisal outcomes would determine contract renewals.
In her presentation on Branch Staff Roles and Responsibilities, the Regional Coordinator Kamoga Cissy detailed the essential duties of branch staff, emphasizing the importance of maintaining key performance areas such as document management, coordination, asset management, and effective communication.
General Secretary Baguma Filbert Bates emphasized the importance of harmonizing working relationships between supervisors and their supervisees to avoid conflicts. He also stressed the need for regular visits by branch chairpersons to their respective offices, highlighting the critical role of branch staff as the vital link between the union and the teachers. He called on Branch Chairpersons to empower and support their staff, and to introduce them to the district Education Office. Additionally, he encouraged staff to join the UNATU SACCO for financial savings and to stay informed through the UNATU website, stating, “I urge all staff to visit the UNATU website for authentic information.” He also encouraged them to share information with teachers who visit their offices and to be well-versed in details about their branch.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from the Vice Regional Chairperson, who praised the General Secretary for his insightful presentation and the HR Officer for her valuable guidance. She encouraged the branch staff to apply the knowledge gained to work effectively and urged the chairpersons to maintain diligent collaboration with their staff. She ended by thanking the participants, stating, “Thank you for loving UNATU, and I declare this workshop closed.”
The meeting was a success, reinforcing the commitment to improving branch operations and fostering a harmonious working environment across the Central Region
