ENTEBBE, Uganda — Twelve exceptional teachers from across Uganda have been honoured at a State House ceremony in Entebbe, with First Lady and Minister of Education Janet Museveni praising them as key drivers of the country’s transformation.
The awards, held on March 18 under the “Teachers Making a Difference” initiative by the Vision Group, recognised educators selected from more than 480 nominations nationwide, many of whom serve in hard-to-reach and underserved communities.
Speaking at the event, Museveni described teachers as central to Uganda’s development agenda. “We cannot talk of achieving a transformed Ugandan society… without a strong education system and a critical mass of dedicated teaching staff,” she said.
She commended the initiative for spotlighting educators who go beyond classroom duties, adding that “‘Teachers Making a Difference’ has played a vital role in celebrating and honoring teachers who go beyond their professional responsibilities in service to their communities.”
Among the awardees was Arafat Ndiwa Chemasuet, recognised for planting more than 1,500 trees, and John Bosco Loibok, who established a school feeding garden to support learners. Many of the winners work in remote regions, including Karamoja and refugee-hosting districts, where access to education resources remains limited.
Museveni hailed the teachers as “architects of our nation’s future,” noting that their dedication reflects the broader goals of government education reforms.
“I therefore thank President Yoweri Museveni for the bold steps he took to introduce policies like the Universal Primary Education Programme, which currently supports over 8.5 million learners countrywide,” she said.
She added that the later introduction of Universal Secondary Education and Universal Post Primary Education and Training has expanded access to schooling, particularly for learners from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds.
As part of the recognition, the awarded teachers will benefit from professional development opportunities, including training trips to Ireland supported through Irish Aid.
“I value Ireland’s ongoing partnership… in supporting education, vocational training, and community development,” Museveni said.
The awards come as government continues to prioritise education as a cornerstone for national development, with officials emphasizing the role of teachers in improving learning outcomes and shaping future generations.
