KIU, Kampala | 4th September 2026
First-year education students at Kampala International University have been urged to embrace teaching as a calling, prepare early for the realities of the profession and protect themselves from risks that can undermine their future.
The call was made by the General Secretary of the Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU), Baguma Filbert Bates, during an orientation session for College of Education first-year students at Kampala International University on 4th September 2026.
Speaking to the students, Baguma encouraged them to take pride in pursuing education and to use their time at the university to develop discipline, integrity and professional awareness.
“If you can’t get what you love, love what you have,” he told the students, urging them to embrace the course and make the most of the opportunity before them.
Students urged to be vigilant
Baguma cautioned the first-year students to be alert as they settle into university life, warning that new students can be soft targets for conmen and women.
He urged them to be careful with their gadgets, listen to the guidance given by the university and take time to understand their new environment.
He said vigilance was not only about personal safety, but also about learning how to make responsible decisions in a new social and academic setting.
The General Secretary reminded the students that as teachers in the making, they must begin to understand the challenges they are likely to meet both inside and outside the classroom.
He encouraged them to build integrity early and avoid situations that could demean them or compromise their future professional standing.
UNATU introduced as the voice of teachers
Baguma described UNATU as the voice of teachers in Uganda and said the Union continues to work for the welfare, dignity and professional growth of teachers.
He told the students that UNATU is also working to engage education students across the country through the Association of Education Students in Universities, where he serves as patron.
The purpose, he said, is to prepare students pursuing education to understand the realities of the teaching field before they enter service.
He noted that many young teachers face exploitation or confusion because they enter the profession without enough information about their rights, responsibilities and professional structures.
“The Union is not only for those already in service. It must also prepare those who are coming into the profession,” he said.
Preparing future teachers for regulation
The General Secretary also briefed the students on key policy developments affecting the teaching profession.
He spoke about the National Teachers Act and said it provides for the establishment of a National Teachers Council, which is expected to regulate the teaching profession.
He explained that the Council will have roles relating to teacher registration, licensing, discipline and Continuous Professional Development.
He said teacher licensing is expected to be valid for four years and linked to professional development requirements.
Baguma urged the students to stay informed about the laws and policies that govern education, saying future teachers must not wait until they enter service before learning how the profession is regulated.
He also encouraged them to learn the provisions of the Teachers’ Professional Code of Conduct, noting that professionalism begins before one receives an appointment letter.
Understanding policy frameworks
Baguma also referred to the National Teachers’ Policy and highlighted three important frameworks connected to the future of the profession.
The first was the National Teacher Incentive Framework, which relates to how teachers can be motivated, supported and retained in the profession.
The second was the Social Dialogue Framework, which provides space for engagement between teachers, Government and other stakeholders on issues affecting education and teacher welfare.
The third was the Continuous Professional Development Framework, which focuses on lifelong learning, skills upgrading and professional growth for teachers.
He told the students that these frameworks matter because they will shape how teachers are supported, assessed, developed and represented in the years ahead.
He urged them to remain up to date on education matters and to use modern tools, including artificial intelligence, to learn, research and improve their professional competence.
Right to belong to a Union
Baguma reminded the students that teachers, like other workers, have the constitutional right to join or form a union of their choice.
He said UNATU protects teachers by representing their interests, providing information, advocating for improved welfare and supporting members when they face professional challenges.
He encouraged the students to register with their association so that they can participate in collective belonging and receive support when issues arise.
He also spoke about the provision for associate membership in UNATU, saying it allows education students and future teachers to understand how the Union operates before they fully enter the teaching service.
He urged the students to read more about UNATU through the Union website and official social media platforms so that they can access verified and current information.
Website walkthrough for students
After the General Secretary’s address, students were taken through a walkthrough of the UNATU website by the ICT personnel.
The session introduced them to key areas of the website, including Union information, updates, resources and digital platforms where they can follow official communication.
Students were encouraged to rely on official UNATU channels for accurate information about the teaching profession, Union activities and policy developments affecting teachers.
Baguma also tested the students’ knowledge of the Union by asking if they knew the UNATU motto.
He reminded them of the motto: “Because we are, the Nation is.”
Conclusion
The orientation reminded first-year education students that teaching is not only a course of study, but a profession that demands integrity, awareness, discipline and continuous learning.
For the students at Kampala International University, the message was clear: the journey into teaching begins long before one enters the classroom.
UNATU pledged to continue engaging education students across universities to prepare them for the profession, connect them to the Union movement and help them understand the policies, rights and responsibilities that shape teaching in Uganda.
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