Teachers’ House, Kampala | 29th July 2026
The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) Central Region convened a Branch Staff Workshop on 29th July 2026 at Teachers’ House, Kampala, bringing together Branch Chairpersons and Branch Staff from across the region.
The workshop provided an opportunity for leaders and staff to review progress, reflect on earlier commitments, strengthen branch operations, and agree on practical ways to improve service delivery to members.
The meeting also focused on recruitment, use of Union digital platforms, staff performance, mentorship, and the need for stronger coordination between branches, the regional office, and the Secretariat.
Central Region Reviews Progress
In his remarks, Bwambale William, the Central Regional Chairperson, described the workshop as an important evaluation of earlier commitments made by the region.
He appreciated Branch Chairpersons and staff for their role in recruitment and mobilisation, noting that Central Region had performed strongly and ranked second in the recruitment drive.
He encouraged branch leaders and staff to continue working closely with the Head Office and to keep the Secretariat informed about activities taking place in their branches.
He also urged participants to follow the weekly updates from the General Secretary, noting that they provide important information on Union work, teacher issues, and emerging developments in the education sector.
The Chairperson further emphasised mentorship and continuity within branch offices.
“Before you leave an office, never leave without preparing someone who can serve in that office,” he said.
He encouraged participants to train and mentor others for smooth transition and continuity, while also challenging them to pursue leadership opportunities beyond the Union.
Workshop Long Overdue
The Central Regional Coordinator, Cissy Kamoga, welcomed participants and noted that the workshop was long overdue, as the team had last met in 2024 for a similar engagement.
She said the workshop was timely because it allowed the region to assess progress against set targets and identify areas requiring renewed effort.
Kamoga thanked the UNATU Secretariat for supporting the workshop and appreciated Branch Chairpersons for their cooperation.
She explained that the workshop aimed to help Branch Staff better understand their job descriptions, improve performance, use Union platforms effectively, and support members more efficiently.
She also noted that the meeting was intended to close information gaps and strengthen recruitment strategies across the region.
Kamoga further encouraged participants to take advantage of available corporate wear, noting that it strengthens visibility and identity. She particularly commended Makindye Branch for achieving 100% performance in corporate wear uptake and distribution.
Staff and Chairpersons Reflect on Roles
The Human Resource Officer, Abaru Pamela, facilitated an interactive session focused on roles, supervision, and performance.
Participants were divided into groups, with Branch Chairpersons discussing their role as supervisors of Branch Staff and the challenges they face in that responsibility.
Branch Staff also discussed areas requiring improvement, including within the Secretariat, among supervisors, and among staff themselves.
The group discussions created space for open reflection on working relationships, accountability, communication, and the support needed to improve branch performance.
Digital Platforms Demonstrated
The ICT session guided participants on how to access and use UNATU’s digital platforms.
Branch leaders and staff were taken through the process of subscribing to the UNATU YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@unatu_org2404) and accessing the official website (www.unatu.org).
The session also highlighted the need for staff and leaders to engage more actively on X and other Union communication platforms.
This comes at a time when UNATU is strengthening its digital campaign to ensure that more members access accurate Union information online.
Participants were reminded that digital platforms are now central to member communication, visibility, and service delivery.
General Secretary Calls for Information-Led Service
Addressing the participants, the UNATU General Secretary, Baguma Filbert Bates, thanked Central Region leaders and staff for their work despite the challenges they face.
He welcomed them to the UNATU Secretariat and noted that one of the biggest challenges facing the Union is limited access to accurate information at the grassroots level.
He said the Union had at times assumed that members were following available updates, yet many were not accessing information shared through official platforms.
The General Secretary called upon Branch Chairpersons and staff to ensure that every activity, meeting, or member engagement includes orientation on how members can subscribe to and access UNATU platforms.
He emphasised the importance of having information at one’s fingertips, especially for branch staff and leaders who are often the first point of contact for members.
He also called for close monitoring of membership data to quickly identify and resolve membership-related issues.
On the new salary increment, the General Secretary said it should be celebrated as a milestone, but cautioned that the transition requires careful monitoring to ensure that membership deductions are correctly aligned with the new salary figures and that members facing challenges are supported.
He urged branch staff to support the analysis of Union membership based on payroll information so that emerging issues can be addressed in time.
Closing Remarks
In his closing remarks, the General Secretary thanked participants for their engagement and called for greater attention to emerging education reforms, including the Public Service Pension Contributory Scheme.
He urged leaders to ensure proper orientation of new members, strengthen recruitment efforts, and fully utilise available opportunities to grow and strengthen the Union.
He further encouraged innovation and creativity in order to meet and surpass recruitment and performance targets.
Staff Call for More Capacity Building
At the close of the workshop, Branch Staff appreciated the engagement and called for more regular meetings and training opportunities to strengthen their capacity.
Participants noted that such workshops help them better understand expectations, improve their confidence, and support members more effectively.
The workshop reaffirmed that strong branch service depends on informed, skilled, and well-supported staff who understand their roles, use technology effectively, and remain connected to members.
For Central Region, the message was clear: recruitment, communication, and service delivery must continue to improve if branches are to remain responsive to the needs of members.
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