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Salary hikes fuelling alcohol abuse among teachers, Kabale DEO warns
While the salary increment was intended to improve teachers’ welfare and enhance the quality of science education, Bwengye said some beneficiaries have misused the opportunity.
The Kabale district education officer (DEO), Moses Bwengye Tumwijukye, said several science teachers in the district have failed to utilise their increased earnings productively. (Photo by Nelson Ahimbisibwe)
By: Nelson Ahimbisibwe, Journalist @New Vision
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The Kabale district education officer (DEO), Moses Bwengye Tumwijukye, has raised concern over increasing cases of alcohol abuse among secondary school science teachers, warning that the government’s salary enhancement programme has, in some instances, produced unintended consequences that are affecting the quality of education.
Bwengye said several science teachers in the district have failed to utilise their increased earnings productively and have instead turned to excessive alcohol consumption, resulting in declining classroom performance, poor discipline, and, in some cases, loss of life.
The government significantly increased salaries for science teachers beginning in the 2022/2023 financial year as part of efforts to improve motivation and address disparities within the teaching profession. Under the enhancement programme, graduate science teachers began earning approximately sh4 million per month, while science head teachers now earn up to sh6.5 million monthly.
While the salary increment was intended to improve teachers’ welfare and enhance the quality of science education, Bwengye said some beneficiaries have misused the opportunity.
He made the remarks on June 18, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) Council for Kabale Campus and the official handover of the former National Teachers’ College (NTC) Kabale to the UNITE Council.
Alcohol abuse concerns
Bwengye revealed that alcohol abuse among some science teachers has become a serious concern in the district.
He said many teachers who benefited from the salary enhancement have not invested in income-generating projects, savings schemes, or other productive ventures that could secure their future and improve their livelihoods.
Instead, he said, some have resorted to excessive drinking, with a number reportedly spending a significant portion of their salaries in bars and entertainment places.
He made the remarks on June 18, 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) Council for Kabale Campus and the official handover of the former National Teachers’ College (NTC) Kabale to the UNITE Council.
Alcohol abuse concerns
Bwengye revealed that alcohol abuse among some science teachers has become a serious concern in the district.
He said many teachers who benefited from the salary enhancement have not invested in income-generating projects, savings schemes, or other productive ventures that could secure their future and improve their livelihoods.
Instead, he said, some have resorted to excessive drinking, with a number reportedly spending a significant portion of their salaries in bars and entertainment places.
"Some of these teachers have become victims of alcohol abuse because they suddenly found themselves earning large sums of money without adequate financial planning. Instead of investing, they spend much of their income on drinking," Bwengye said.
He further disclosed that some teachers have gone as far as acquiring loans to finance their drinking habits, a trend he described as worrying and unsustainable.
The DEO revealed that Kabale district has already lost two teachers due to alcohol-related complications, a situation he said should serve as a wake-up call to education managers and training institutions.
Call for stronger ethics training
Bwengye said some teachers have neglected their professional responsibilities, spending more time in drinking places than in classrooms, which has negatively affected learning outcomes.
"Some teachers no longer dedicate enough time to teaching because they are always in bars. This has affected classroom performance and undermined the purpose for which the government increased their salaries," he said.
He urged teacher training institutions to place greater emphasis on discipline, ethics, and responsible living alongside academic training.
Bwengye said the experiences witnessed among some science teachers should provide important lessons for the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) as it prepares future educators.
"If UNITE is to produce competent and professional teachers, issues of character, discipline, behaviour, and ethical conduct must be given the same attention as academic training. We need teachers who are role models in society," he emphasised.
Stakeholder concerns
His remarks sparked discussion among education stakeholders, many of whom agreed that financial empowerment alone cannot guarantee professionalism without proper guidance and mentorship.
Professor James Tumwine, dean of the School of Medicine at Kabale University and former chairperson of the Governing Council of National Teachers’ College Kabale, said alcohol abuse is not unique to teachers and requires structured support systems.
He called on UNITE to establish support committees comprising social workers, counsellors, and mental health experts to assist teachers and students struggling with alcohol addiction and related challenges.
He said such systems would help identify affected individuals early, provide counselling services, and support recovery before situations worsen.
"There is a need for support mechanisms within educational institutions. When people begin experiencing social and behavioural challenges, they should be identified early and offered professional help before matters worsen," Professor Tumwine said.
He added that counselling and psychosocial support should become integral parts of teacher training and professional development.
Addressing the same meeting, Prof. Betty Ezati Akullu, vice chancellor of UNITE, said the government has already introduced financial literacy programmes to help teachers manage their incomes effectively.
She said the programme aims to equip teachers with skills in saving, investing, and developing sustainable income-generating projects.
She noted that many teachers receive improved salaries without adequate financial planning skills, making them vulnerable to poor spending decisions.
"The issue of financial literacy is very important. Teachers need knowledge on how to manage their incomes, save for the future, and invest in projects that can improve their livelihoods and create additional sources of income," she said.
Professor Akullu said strengthening financial literacy would improve welfare, reduce financial stress, and promote responsible resource use.
She urged teachers to view salary enhancement as an opportunity to transform their lives and support their families, rather than engaging in destructive habits.
Regulation and professionalism
Teopista Mayanja, vice chairperson of the UNITE Council, said the government has established a National Teachers’ Council to regulate and professionalise the teaching profession.
She said the council will license teachers, monitor professional conduct, and ensure compliance with ethical standards.
"The National Teachers’ Council will play a critical role in ensuring professionalism and ethical conduct among teachers across the country. It will provide a framework for regulating the profession and promoting high standards," she said.
The concerns were raised during a meeting marking a key milestone in teacher education reforms in Uganda.
UNITE Kabale Campus was established in July 2024 under Statutory Instrument No. 53 of 2024 as part of reforms aimed at improving teacher training quality.
The reforms are intended to phase out Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications in favour of Bachelor of Education programmes by 2031.
The institution operates campuses in Kabale, Kaliro, Mubende, Muni and Unyama, replacing the former National Teachers’ College Kabale, which had operated since October 1984.
Education stakeholders expressed optimism that the reforms will produce professionally competent teachers who uphold discipline, integrity and ethical values necessary for transforming Uganda’s education sector.
He further disclosed that some teachers have gone as far as acquiring loans to finance their drinking habits, a trend he described as worrying and unsustainable.
The DEO revealed that Kabale district has already lost two teachers due to alcohol-related complications, a situation he said should serve as a wake-up call to education managers and training institutions.
Call for stronger ethics training
Bwengye said some teachers have neglected their professional responsibilities, spending more time in drinking places than in classrooms, which has negatively affected learning outcomes.
"Some teachers no longer dedicate enough time to teaching because they are always in bars. This has affected classroom performance and undermined the purpose for which the government increased their salaries," he said.
He urged teacher training institutions to place greater emphasis on discipline, ethics, and responsible living alongside academic training.
Bwengye said the experiences witnessed among some science teachers should provide important lessons for the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) as it prepares future educators.
"If UNITE is to produce competent and professional teachers, issues of character, discipline, behaviour, and ethical conduct must be given the same attention as academic training. We need teachers who are role models in society," he emphasised.
Stakeholder concerns
His remarks sparked discussion among education stakeholders, many of whom agreed that financial empowerment alone cannot guarantee professionalism without proper guidance and mentorship.
Professor James Tumwine, dean of the School of Medicine at Kabale University and former chairperson of the Governing Council of National Teachers’ College Kabale, said alcohol abuse is not unique to teachers and requires structured support systems.
He called on UNITE to establish support committees comprising social workers, counsellors, and mental health experts to assist teachers and students struggling with alcohol addiction and related challenges.
He said such systems would help identify affected individuals early, provide counselling services, and support recovery before situations worsen.
"There is a need for support mechanisms within educational institutions. When people begin experiencing social and behavioural challenges, they should be identified early and offered professional help before matters worsen," Professor Tumwine said.
He added that counselling and psychosocial support should become integral parts of teacher training and professional development.
Addressing the same meeting, Prof. Betty Ezati Akullu, vice chancellor of UNITE, said the government has already introduced financial literacy programmes to help teachers manage their incomes effectively.
She said the programme aims to equip teachers with skills in saving, investing, and developing sustainable income-generating projects.
She noted that many teachers receive improved salaries without adequate financial planning skills, making them vulnerable to poor spending decisions.
"The issue of financial literacy is very important. Teachers need knowledge on how to manage their incomes, save for the future, and invest in projects that can improve their livelihoods and create additional sources of income," she said.
Professor Akullu said strengthening financial literacy would improve welfare, reduce financial stress, and promote responsible resource use.
She urged teachers to view salary enhancement as an opportunity to transform their lives and support their families, rather than engaging in destructive habits.
Regulation and professionalism
Teopista Mayanja, vice chairperson of the UNITE Council, said the government has established a National Teachers’ Council to regulate and professionalise the teaching profession.
She said the council will license teachers, monitor professional conduct, and ensure compliance with ethical standards.
"The National Teachers’ Council will play a critical role in ensuring professionalism and ethical conduct among teachers across the country. It will provide a framework for regulating the profession and promoting high standards," she said.
The concerns were raised during a meeting marking a key milestone in teacher education reforms in Uganda.
UNITE Kabale Campus was established in July 2024 under Statutory Instrument No. 53 of 2024 as part of reforms aimed at improving teacher training quality.
The reforms are intended to phase out Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications in favour of Bachelor of Education programmes by 2031.
The institution operates campuses in Kabale, Kaliro, Mubende, Muni and Unyama, replacing the former National Teachers’ College Kabale, which had operated since October 1984.
Education stakeholders expressed optimism that the reforms will produce professionally competent teachers who uphold discipline, integrity and ethical values necessary for transforming Uganda’s education sector.