The Uganda National Teachers’ Union (UNATU) actively commemorated World Teachers’ Day October 5, 2026, with a strong focus on professional growth, advocacy, and a shift away from traditional performance-based celebrations.

This year, the activities in Uganda centered around the national theme, “Celebrating Teachers – Creating Lasting Value,” emphasizing the lifelong impact teachers have beyond the walls of their classrooms. 

UNATU unlike previous years, has updated its approach for 2026 with an official directive stating that the day  would be marked through professional training and direct membership engagement instead of traditional entertainment or performances. This pivot aims to equip teachers with practical tools to navigate modern, complex classroom environments. 

In pre-WTD engagements held alongside child rights organizations at the the union Headquarters in Kampala,

UNATU General Secretary Mr Filbert Baguma said they demand that government enhances teachers’ salaries fairly without discrimination between Arts and Science teachers, and to provide funds for running teachers SACCO..

“Teachers need funds to support professional development programs and investment in the human resource teaching personnel,” He said,

Mr Baguma said teachers are overworked, poorly paid, disgruntled and many have resigned from teaching  and opted for alternative  ventures including the lucrative jobs like boda boda riding.

He said: “ The plight of teachers remains a big concern as stringent economic conditions force them out of the teaching profession, The salary disparities between science and arts teachers, poor pay, inadequate scholastic materials, delayed promotions and high cost of living all together makes teaching unreliable.”