Kampala, 5th September 2024 — Day one of the UNATU Staff Workshop commenced at Teachers’ House, led by the Gender Officer Aja Joan, who served as the MCee. The workshop attracted regional, secretariat, and project staff members making a total of 41 participants. The workshop aims to enhance collaboration and address operational challenges across the union.
Duluga Buni Phillip the Deputy General Secretary (DGS) opened the event, encouraging active participation. “This is an opportunity to learn from each other, and I encourage everyone to be open to new experiences,” he said, setting the tone for the day’s discussions.
General Secretary Baguma Filbert Bates delivered the opening remarks, focusing on transparency, proactive engagement, and the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. He also urged staff to undergo regular medical checks.
The GS raised concerns about information gaps, particularly within post-primary institutions, and asked: “How do we give them this information so that they are on board with others?” He encouraged the team to explore solutions for enhancing communication within the union. He also touched on frustrations arising from the new HR (HCM) systems and expressed concern about early retirements of teachers, referring to it as a “crisis”. He called for result-oriented planning and organising.
Key Issues Addressed
1. Information Gaps: The General Secretary highlighted the importance of ensuring that all members, especially in post-primary institutions, receive timely updates about the union.
2. Youth Engagement and Recruitment: He emphasised the need to involve youth in union activities and to work with HR teams to address recruitment challenges.
3. Work-Life Balance and Confidentiality: The GS encouraged staff to maintain a healthy work-life balance and stressed the importance of confidentiality in their roles.
Presentations
The day featured various sessions led by different staff members. The Deputy GS conducted a session on salient issues from monthly staff meetings, while the Program Officer presented a detailed report on challenges affecting the progress of activities in each region based on monthly reports. The presentation offered critical insights into obstacles that need addressing to improve performance across the union.
The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer also provided an analysis of the regions’ bi-annual performance, drawing from the 2024 Annual Work Plan and budget.
Teamwork and Interactive Sessions
In an interactive session on Teamwork, the General Secretary urged staff to collaborate closely. “We need to ensure that if one person is unavailable, someone else can step in seamlessly—this is what teamwork is about,” The GS emphasised.
Public Relations, IT, and Communication Sessions
The Communication Manager led an informative session on Public Relations as a Staff Function, guiding staff on how to better represent the union in their roles. This was followed by a technical session on IT and Communications, facilitated by the ICT Assistant and IT Officer, which covered website navigation and effective storytelling through photography.
The plenary session for Public Relations, IT, and Communications was moderated by the Accountant, who reinforced the importance of maintaining a strong public image for the union.
Closing Remarks
Wrapping up Day 1, the Deputy GS reflected on the lessons learned, especially regarding communication. “We have learned that effective communication is key,” he remarked, calling for respectful and clear communication in all staff roles. He thanked the participants and facilitators for their contributions and encouraged them to prepare for Day 2, reminding everyone to start the day early.
