Uganda Honors Outstanding Teachers at “Teachers Making a Difference” Awards

BY DOREEN GRACE ACIPA

March 18, 2026 - The Ministry of Education and Sports has recognized outstanding teachers across the country through the “Teachers Making a Difference” initiative, with six educators selected for an international exchange program in Ireland.

While officiating at the awards ceremony held at State House Entebbe, the First Lady and Minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataaha Museveni, emphasized the importance of quality education and dedicated teachers in transforming Uganda from a peasant to a modern society.

She noted that the awards aim to celebrate teachers who go beyond their professional duties to positively impact their communities, while also promoting innovation and commitment within the teaching profession.

Award Winners

The overall winner of this year’s competition is Alice Mary Birungi from Bombo Army Secondary School.

Other winners include:

• Chemasuet Arafat – Kalasi Girls Primary School, Amudat District
• John Bosco Loibok – Karenga Boys Primary School
• Richard Begura – Immaculate Heart Girls Secondary School
• Tairi Fungaro – Yumbe Primary School
• Aisha Mbeya – Nalubaale Primary School
• Anna Lomonyang – Kangole Boys Primary School
• Job Afeku – Yoro Primary School
• Elisa Mftundinda – Muramba Seed Secondary School
• Moris Wamuwaya – Nabumali Boarding Primary School
• Florence Nabasumba – St. Peter’s Primary School, Mukono
• Stella Ejang – St. Katherine Girls School

The top six teachers will benefit from a professional exchange program in Ireland, alongside other prizes aimed at enhancing their skills and rewarding excellence.

Government Commitment to Education

Mrs. Museveni highlighted ongoing government efforts to improve access and quality of education, including:

• Universal Primary Education (UPE), supporting over 8.5 million learners
• Universal Secondary Education (USE)
• Universal Post Primary Education and Training (UPPET)

She also revealed plans to accelerate the policy of establishing at least one primary school per parish and one secondary school per sub-county to further decentralize education services.

In addition, she pointed to curriculum reforms such as the competence-based curriculum at O’ Level and the revised A’ Level curriculum, designed to make education more relevant to today’s needs.

The First Lady urged teachers to uphold integrity and professionalism while nurturing learners into responsible and productive citizens.

Stakeholders Weigh In

The State Minister for Higher Education, John Chrysestom Muyingo, reminded teachers of their critical role in transforming society, describing education as the backbone of national development.

The Ambassador of Ireland to Uganda and Rwanda, Mags Gaynor, underscored the value of the exchange program in strengthening teachers’ competencies. She also commended Uganda’s National Teacher Policy and efforts toward improving learning outcomes, including gender equity initiatives supported by the Irish Embassy.

Role of Media and Partners

Dr. Patricia Litho, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at Vision Group, described the awards as a strategic initiative aimed at recognizing excellence and promoting innovation in teaching.

She noted that reforms in the education sector are making the system more responsive to market demands and global technological changes, while emphasizing the media’s role in advancing transformative learning.

The Chief Executive Officer of Vision Group, Don Wanyama, said the initiative—running since 2013—has recognized over a thousand teachers for exceptional service.

He explained that, in addition to the Ireland exchange program, winners receive cash prizes, while their schools are supported with equipment to improve teaching and learning.

Wanyama called for the institutionalization of the program to enable better planning, increased funding, and expansion of opportunities for more teachers to participate. He also highlighted the introduction of an alumni competition aimed at encouraging continuous innovation among past winners.