National Teachers College Kabale is set to officially hand over its facilities and operations to the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) Council on Thursday, marking a major step in the government’s efforts to strengthen teacher training in the region.
UNITE Kabale Campus Dean Annet Komunda announced the transition during a press conference held at the institution’s boardroom, saying the handover is part of the process of transforming former National Teachers Colleges into UNITE campuses.
Komunda said the new framework is expected to address longstanding challenges affecting the institution, including ageing infrastructure. She noted that some teachers’ and students’ hostels are still roofed with asbestos materials, which pose potential health risks to staff and learners and require urgent attention.
She expressed optimism that operating under the UNITE structure will help attract resources to improve infrastructure and enhance the learning environment.
“The transformation presents opportunities for the Kigezi sub-region and the country, including job creation for academic and non-academic staff, increased student enrollment, and greater economic activity in the area,” Komunda said.
Meanwhile, UNITE Kabale Academic Registrar Gloria Akatukunda said the establishment of UNITE is part of government reforms aimed at professionalising the teaching profession.
Under the new teacher education policy, individuals entering the teaching profession at primary and pre-primary levels will be required to attain at least a bachelor’s degree, a move intended to equip teachers with advanced knowledge, skills, and competencies.
Akatukunda said the shift to degree-level training is expected to raise professional standards and ensure teachers are better prepared to address changing learner and community needs.
However, she expressed concern over the limited number of government-sponsored slots available at the institution, appealing to authorities to increase funding opportunities to enable more qualified students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access teacher training.
The transition of NTC Kabale into a UNITE campus is expected to reshape teacher education in the Kigezi sub-region by improving training standards, expanding access, and strengthening institutional capacity.