Bushenyi UNATU leaders urge Balaam to follow disciplinary channels
Odwori appealed to Barugahara to use existing disciplinary mechanisms to deal with teachers accused of misconduct instead of publicly humiliating them before their learners.
Brian Sande a sign language teacher at Bushenyi school instructs learners recently. (Photo by Bruno Mugizi.)
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The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) leadership in Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality has asked local government minister Balaam Barugahara to use established disciplinary channels when dealing with teachers accused of misconduct instead of publicly arresting and shaming them.
The call was made by Martin Odwori, the Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality UNATU chairperson, as teachers joined the rest of the world in commemorating World Teachers’ Day on October 5, 2026.
World Teachers’ Day has been observed annually on October 5 since 1994.
Odwori was reacting to the arrest of headteachers by Barugahara during his anti-corruption campaign tour.
Barugahara's operations have netted headteachers accused of inflating school enrolment figures to obtain more government funding, sending learners home over school fees and asking learners to pay school fees.
Odwori appealed to Barugahara to use existing disciplinary mechanisms to deal with teachers accused of misconduct instead of publicly humiliating them before their learners.
“There are disciplinary channels that can be used to handle such cases. A teacher should not be publicly shamed before learners,” Odwori said.
He said teachers are expected to be disciplined professionals and that there was no need to arrest a school head and put them on a police patrol vehicle in full view of learners.
Odwori said such actions could undermine the dignity and professional standing of teachers, especially when they are expected to serve as role models to learners.
Supporting learners with disabilities
Odwori, a teacher at Bushenyi Primary School, which caters for more than 90 learners with disabilities, said teachers play a critical role in ensuring that all children receive quality education and support.
He said Bushenyi Primary School currently has more than 90 learners with disabilities, adding that teachers handling such learners require adequate support and a conducive working environment to effectively meet their needs.
He said teachers in Bushenyi could not celebrate World Teachers’ Day jointly this year because of internal arrangements, adding that they would soon communicate a new mode of celebrating the day.
Salary increment
Odwori hailed the government for partially increasing teachers’ salaries but said teachers would continue pushing for a 100% salary increment.
The government has started implementing a phased salary harmonisation programme, with the first phase targeting primary school teachers, secondary arts and humanities teachers and BTVET educators.
He said although the salary increase was welcome, teachers still expected the Government to address the remaining gaps in their remuneration and welfare.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day was commemorated under the theme “Standing with teachers, 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.”
The theme marks 60 years since its adoption.