Kole District | 16th August 2025 — The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) held a Membership Education Training for school representatives drawn from the youth and post-primary sectors in Kole District. The training aimed to empower teacher representatives with accurate, up-to-date union information and encourage effective communication between union leadership and members at school level.
The session, hosted in Kole District, brought together a diverse group committed to strengthening union structures and spreading awareness within their schools.
The Kole Branch Chairperson opened the day with welcome remarks, outlining the objectives and importance of the training. He emphasized the need for members to stay informed about Education policies and national education updates — including changes in Public Service systems such as the transition from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll System (IPPS) to the Human Capital Management (HCM) system, as well as issues relating to pensions and leave entitlements.
The District Education Officer (DEO) of Kole officially opened the training, encouraging participants to not only absorb the information but also actively share it with colleagues at their respective schools.
This was followed by a session titled “Understanding UNATU”, led by the Northern Regional Chairperson, who guided participants through the union’s vision, mission, and core mandate. He reminded participants of UNATU’s role in promoting the welfare of teachers and defending the profession.
The Acting Regional Coordinator provided key updates on ongoing union efforts, including:
Progress on salary enhancement,
Addressing the emergence of splinter unions, and
Promoting unity to reduce misinformation and confusion among members.
A key session was delivered by the Human Resource Officer of Kole District, who tackled practical HR topics such as teacher transfers, leave procedures, gratuity claims, pension processing, and the ongoing shift to the HCM system.
The final plenary session allowed participants to ask questions and engage in dialogue with the facilitators. Many expressed appreciation for the clarity and transparency offered during the session.
The training closed on a high note, with school representatives committing to serve as ambassadors of information in their schools. Information sharing was identified as a persistent gap, and participants left determined to help bridge it.
