History

The establishment of UNITE originated from the Government of Uganda’s commitment to professionalize and standardize the teaching profession through the National Teacher Policy (NTP) 2019, developed by the Ministry of Education and Sports and approved by Cabinet on 1 April 2019.

The policy recommended the establishment of the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) as a specialized institution to coordinate teacher education and training across all levels of education. This recommendation was informed by findings from the Teacher Initiative in Sub-Saharan Africa (TISSA) Study Report (2013), which highlighted several challenges affecting the quality of education in Uganda. These included:

1. Under-professionalization of the teaching profession
2. Inadequate quality assurance and standards
3. Shortage of science teachers
4. Low academic entry requirements into the teaching profession

The National Teacher Policy further recommended the establishment of two key institutions:

1. The Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) – responsible for coordinating teacher education and training.
2. The National Teacher Council (NTC) – responsible for regulating the teaching profession.

To operationalize the policy recommendations, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports appointed a six-member Taskforce on 28 August 2020 to spearhead the establishment of UNITE. The Taskforce was initially chaired by the late Assoc. Prof. Joseph Oonyu and included:

1. Assoc. Prof. Joyce Ayikoru
2. Assoc. Prof. Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu
3. Dr. Robert Ayine
4. Mr. George Sizoomu
5. Mr. Brighton Barugahare

Following the untimely passing of Assoc. Prof. Joseph Oonyu, leadership of the Taskforce was assumed by Assoc. Prof. Joyce Ayikoru until 9 March 2021, when Assoc. Prof. Betty Akullu Ezati was appointed substantive Chairperson.

The Taskforce was supported by a Secretariat coordinated by Ms. Caroline Nakidde Kavuma and comprised professionals in administration, estates management, public relations, transport, and office management.

Upon completion of its assignment in September 2023, Interim Management was appointed effective 3 October 2023 to oversee the operationalization of UNITE. This comprised of members appointed to designate posts, namely; 

Assoc. Prof. Betty Akullu Ezati – Vice Chancellor (VC), Assoc. Prof. Proscovia Namubiru Ssentamu – Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs (DVC – AA), Assoc. Prof. Joyce Ayikoru – Deputy Vice Chancellor Finance and Administration (DVC-F&A), Dr. Levi Kabagambe Bategeka – Institute Secretary (IS), Ms. Caroline Nakidde Kavuma – Institute Academic Registrar (IAR),