KAMPALA – Uganda is set to host the inaugural International Teacher Education Conference (ITEC) 2026, bringing together global scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from across the globe to examine teacher education and human capital development.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The development was announced by the Vice Chancellor of the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE), Prof. Betty Akullu Ezati, while addressing the press at the Uganda Media Centre on Monday, September 21, 2026.
The conference, themed “Teachers at the Heart of Reform: Transforming Teacher Education for Human Capital Development in the 21st Century,” is convened by UNITE and is scheduled to take place at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
Prof. Betty Akullu Ezati described the inaugural International Teacher Education Conference 2026 as a defining moment for Uganda’s education sector, welcoming attendees and inviting Uganda and the world into a conversation about teacher quality.
She noted that UNITE, established on July 5, 2024, is a public institution dedicated exclusively to teacher education, mandated by the National Teacher Policy (2019) to coordinate all levels of teacher education, from initial to postgraduate training and CPD.
The Vice Chancellor emphasised that the transition from the National Teachers’ Colleges to UNITE is a deliberate policy decision to establish a single national institution ensuring every teacher is properly prepared and professionally supported.
“The shift from National Teachers’ Colleges to UNITE ensures every teacher is well prepared, continuously developed, and professionally supported. We invite Uganda and the world to join this conversation about the quality of those who teach our children,” Prof. Akullu noted.
The conference will bring together participants from Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Scotland, China, India, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and America, alongside Ugandan educators.
Prof. Proscovia Namubiru, Convener of ITEC 2026, outlined the purpose and significance of the conference, emphasising its role in moving teacher education reform from policy commitment to measurable impact.
“The main goal of the conference is to bring together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and development partners from around the world to examine how teacher education reforms can be designed, delivered, regulated, and sustained to strengthen human capital development in the 21st century,” she explained.
She noted that the conference will advance UNITE’s mandate for research, innovation, and community engagement, while supporting Uganda’s reform agenda, including the competence-based curriculum and upgraded teacher training.
Dr. Dennis Mugimba, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Education and Sports, reaffirmed the government’s firm commitment to teacher quality and professionalisation across the country.
He noted that Uganda has about 185,000 primary and over 65,000 secondary school teachers serving more than 12 million learners, many in challenging conditions like large classes and limited materials.
Mugimba added that ITEC 2026 offers the Ministry a genuinely valued evidence base, with rigorous, contextually grounded, and practically actionable research to better prepare, support, and strengthen the teaching workforce.
“We owe these teachers better preparation, better professional support, and a stronger system behind them. ITEC 2026 offers the Ministry something we genuinely value: an evidence base. We need research that is rigorous, contextually grounded, and practically actionable,” Mugimba reaffirmed.
Since commencing operations in the Financial Year 2024/25, UNITE has made significant strides in establishing a fully functional institution. The Institute Council and its Committees have been constituted as the supreme governing body, along with the Senate and its sub-committees to oversee academic affairs.
On the academic front, competence-based Bachelor of Education degree programmes across Pre-Primary, Primary, and Secondary levels have been accredited by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE).
In-service Diploma programmes in Pre-Primary and Primary Education are also offered, with one additional Bachelor of Education (Secondary) Agriculture programme currently undergoing review for accreditation.
Student enrollment has grown over three cohorts, with 1,258 students registered in UNITE Campuses and 2,294 diploma students, bringing the total registered student population to 3,552.
For the 2026/27 intake, a total of 2,148 students were admitted for Bachelor’s programmes (1,165 pre-service and 988 in-service) and 1,629 Diploma students. The government has allocated 100 slots for Government Sponsorship to UNITE for AY 2026/2027.
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