Uganda National Institute of Teacher Education

The Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) is a specialized higher education institution established to enhance the quality and professionalism of teacher education in Uganda. Created on July 5, 2024, under Statutory Instrument No. 53 of 2024, UNITE operates as an Other Degree Awarding Institution (ODAI) under the Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act (UOTIA), Cap. 262 .

🎯 Mandate and Mission

UNITE’s core mandate is to coordinate and provide teacher education at all levels, from initial training to postgraduate studies, including in-service training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programs. Its mission is to offer quality, inclusive teacher education, training, and research aimed at community transformation. The institute emphasizes the vocationalization of teacher education, focusing on practical, hands-on experiences as the foundation for teaching and learning .

🏫 Campuses and Structure

UNITE operates a multi-campus system with campuses located in:

• Kabale

• Kaliro

• Mubende

• Muni

• Unyama

The main campus is situated in Kira Municipality at the former Shimoni Core Primary Teachers College, which has been transformed into a degree-awarding institution .

🎓 Academic Programs

UNITE offers a range of academic programs across various levels of education, including:

• Pre-Primary Education

• Business, Technical, Vocational Education and Training (BTVET)

• Secondary Education

• University-Level Programs

These programs are designed to produce professionally competent and innovative teachers responsive to the educational needs of the community .

📜 National Teacher Policy Alignment

The establishment of UNITE is part of the implementation of the National Teacher Policy (2019), which aims to professionalize and standardize the teaching profession in Uganda. The policy recommends that all teacher training institutions admit only Senior Six leavers and diploma holders, with a bachelor’s degree becoming the minimum qualification for teaching at any level, including Early Childhood Education .

🤝 Partnerships and Collaborations

UNITE collaborates with various national and international partners to enhance teacher education quality. Key partners include:UNESCO

• ENABEL

• UNICEF

• USAID

• Sight Savers

• VVOB

These partnerships support initiatives such as the development of strategic documents, alignment with national development plans, and the promotion of inclusive education .

📬 Contact Information

• Website: https://unite.ac.ug

• Email: info@unite.ac.ug

• Phone: +(256) 414 675 141