5. Establishment of National Teachers Council
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National Teachers Act, 2026 (Act 11 of 2026)
Current version
An Act to provide for the establishment of the National Teachers Council; to provide for the composition, functions and management of the Council; to provide for the regulation of the teaching profession; to provide for the registration and licensing of teachers; to provide for disciplinary procedures for teachers; and for matters incidental to the conduct of the teaching profession.
About this Act
An Act to provide for the establishment of the National Teachers Council; to provide for the composition, functions and management of the Council; to provide for the regulation of the teaching profession; to provide for the registration and licensing of teachers; to provide for disciplinary procedures for teachers; and for matters incidental to the conduct of the teaching profession.
In force
Full text of the Act
13 parts · 105 sections · 2 Schedules
Annotated view presents the indexed text with legal numbering and internal section links. Choose Original PDF to inspect the source consolidation.
Uganda
National Teachers Act, 2026 (Act 11 of 2026)
An Act to provide for the establishment of the National Teachers Council; to provide for the composition, functions and management of the Council; to provide for the regulation of the teaching profession; to provide for the registration and licensing of teachers; to provide for disciplinary procedures for teachers; and for matters incidental to the conduct of the teaching profession.
Part II
6. Composition of Council
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7. Eligibility for appointment to Council
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8. Tenure of office
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9. Functions of Council
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10. Collaboration with Government agencies and departments
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11. Powers of Council
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12. Seal of Council
Act 11 National Teachers Act 2026
13. Policy guidance by Minister
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14. Procedure at meetings of Council
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15. Remuneration of members of Council
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16. Committees of Council
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17. Secretariat of Council
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18. Registrar of Council
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19. Tenure of office of registrar
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20. Other staff of Council
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Part III
21. Funds of Council
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22. Bank accounts
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23. Budget estimates
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24. Accounts
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25. Audit
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26. Annual report
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Part IV
27. Registration of teachers
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28. Eligibility for registration
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29. Issuance of certificate of registration
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30. Cancellation of certificate of registration
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31. Effect of cancellation of certificate of registration
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Part VI
42. Continuous professional development
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Part VII
43. Conduct of teachers
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44. Disciplinary committee of Council
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45. Complaints against teachers
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46. Inquiry into complaints
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47. Powers of disciplinary committee
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48. Power to co-opt and expert advice
Act 11 National Teachers Act 2026
49. Decisions of disciplinary committee and right to appeal
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50. Sanctions of disciplinary committee
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Part I
1. Commencement
This Act shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Gazette.
2. Application
(1)
This Act applies to a person who-
(a)
teaches at the level of-
(i)
pre-primary education;
(ii)
primary education; or (iii) secondary education; and National Teachers Act Act 11 2026
(b)
is registered in accordance with this Act.
(2)
This Act applies to a teacher in the education service, the service of a local government and the service of a private education institution. (3) This Act applies to a person who teaches in an international education institution which provides education in Uganda at a level equivalent to a level referred to in subsection (1 )(a).
3. Objectives of Act
The objectives of this Act are- (a) to promote, maintain and protect the ethical standards of the teaching profession;
(b)
to regulate the teaching profession;
(c)
to provide for an institutional framework for the implementation of policies, decisions and directives issued by the Minister regarding teachers;
(d)
to provide for the continuous professional development of teachers;
(e)
to provide for the career development of teachers within the teaching profession;
(f)
to establish the National Teachers Council; and
(g)
to provide for the powers and functions of the Minister in relation to teachers and the teaching profession.
4. Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires- "active teaching" means the continuous involvement by a teacher in the teaching of learners in a public or private
education institution, whether physically or virtually but does not include teaching during school practice; continuous professional development" means approved continuous training required of a teacher licensed under this Act, as the Minister may determine; Council" means the National Teachers Council established under section 5 ;
"currency point" has the value assigned to it in Schedule 1 to this Act; "education institution" means a pre-primary, primary or secondary school; "education service" has the meaning assigned to it under Article 257(1) (h) of the Constitution; "international education institution" means a school or an institution operating in Uganda at a level equivalent to an education institution, which provides instructions to learners distinct from national curriculum and based on an internationally recognised curriculum or the curriculum of another country; "medical practitioner" has the meaning assigned to it under the Mental Health Act; "Minister" means the Minister responsible for teachers; "Ministry" means the Ministry responsible for teachers; "teaching licence" means a licence issued under this Act; "private education institution" means a school not founded by Government and which does not receive statutory grants from Government;
National Teachers Act 2026 Act 11 . institution" means a school which is founded "PUblby Government or which receives statutory grants from Government; • f o local government" means employment of a teacher "Linthe District Service Commission;
• r private education institution" means teaching other "serV1thea°ninPthe education service or the service of a local
government; t " means salary, capital development grants, "statutory gran instructional material grants given "PG""^ided SCh00'S a' ' 'a,e bY
Government from rime to time, "teacher "means a person registered or licensed under this Act; - -a. *• means a tertiary institution, other degree « university as defined in the Universities and Other Tertiary Inst,rations Act.
Part II
5. Establishment of National Teachers Council
(1)
There is established a body to be known as the National Teachers Council. (2) The Council shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal and may- (a) acquire, hold and dispose of moveable and immovable property; (b) sue or be sued in its corporate name; and
(c)
do all other things as a body corporate may lawfully do.
6. Composition of Council
(1)
The Council shall consist of the following members-
(a)
two persons, one of whom shall be female, with experience in teaching, leadership and management of education institutions, but not engaged in active teaching;
(b)
one teacher with disability, nominated by the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda; and
(c)
four members of the public, two of whom shall be teachers, and one advocate with at least ten years' experience in legal practice.
(2)
The Minister shall appoint the members of the Council.
(3)
At least one-third of the members of the Council shall be women.
(4)
The Minister shall appoint the chairperson from among the members of the Council.
(5)
The members of the Council shall elect one person from among themselves to serve as the vice-chairperson of the Council.
(6)
The members of the Council shall hold office on such terms and conditions as shall be specified in the instruments of appointment.
(7)
The registrar of the Council shall be an ex officio member of the Council but shall not vote on any matter before the Council.
7. Eligibility for appointment to Council
A person is eligible for appointment as a member of the Council if he or she- (a) is a citizen of Uganda;
National Teachers Act Act 11 2026 (b) is of good standing and character; and
(c\ has not been convicted of an offence of moral turpitude 1 by a court of competent jurisdiction.
8. Tenure of office
(1)
A member of the Council shall hold office for a term of four years and is eligible for reappointment for one more term.
(2)
A member of the Council may resign his or her office by giving the Minister notice in writing, at least two months before the date of resignation. (3) Where a member of the Council ceases to hold office before the expiry of the term under which he or she was appointed to the Council, the Minister shall appoint another person to replace the member who ceased to hold the office, and the person so appointed shall hold office for the remaining period of the term of office of the member who ceased to hold the office.
(4)
The term of service of the person appointed to fill a vacancy under subsection (3) shall commence on the date of his or her appointment.
(5)
The Minister may, at any time, remove a member of the Council from office, if the member-
(a)
is adjudged bankrupt under the Insolvency Act and has not been discharged of the bankruptcy;
(b)
is convicted of an offence involving fraud or dishonesty by court; (c) has been absent, without the prior permission of the chairperson or without reasonable cause, from more than three consecutive meetings of the Council;
(d)
is incapable of performing his or her functions as a member of the Council as a result of any mental or physical infirmity as ascertained by a medical practitioner; (e) neglects to perform his or her duties as a member; or
(f)
in the case of a teacher, has had his or her certificate of registration or teaching licence cancelled or revoked under this Act. (6) The Minister shall, prior to exercising his or her power to remove a member under subsection (5), notify the member and the chairperson in writing and give the member an opportunity to be heard.
9. Functions of Council
The functions of the Council are- (a) to register and license teachers;
(b)
to keep and maintain a register of teachers;
(c)
to regulate the professional conduct of teachers registered or licensed under this Act;
(d)
to enforce and monitor standards in the teaching profession;
(e)
to exercise professional discipline over teachers registered or licensed under this Act;
(f)
to advise the Government on policy and other matters related to the teaching profession;
(g)
to develop or cause to be developed continuous professional development programmes for teachers;
(h)
to accredit persons or institutions-
(i)
to offer continuous professional development programmes for teachers; and A , 11 Act n National Teachers Act 202g
(ii)
to conduct training of trainers of conti professional development programmes; and mU°Us
(i)
to perform any other function as the Minister may assj
10. Collaboration with Government agencies and department
(1)
The Council shall, in the performance of its funcf collaborate with relevant Government agencies and departmentsIOnS'
(2)
The National Council for Higher Education shall ' performance of its functions, collaborate with the Council '
(a)
to accredit the award of programmes for training a degree in education institutions and a relevantlead' deg^ in the setting of admission standards for teachers; and (b) (c) to inspect training programmes institutions for pmposes r Act. provide ed"P IOn of this which
11. Powers of Council
The Council shall, in the performance of its functions, have the power (a) to call for any information, documents, records or reports in respect of a teacher from any person, body or authority as the Council deems necessary; (b) to retain or make a copy of any document or record obtained under paragraph (a); (c) through the disciplinary committee of the Council, to investigate or inquire into the conduct of any person registered or licensed under this Act; and (d) to call for the production of books of accounts, plans or other documents of the Council.
Act 11 National Teachers Act 2026
12. Seal of Council
(1)
The Council shall have a seal which shall be kept in the custody of the registrar of the Council.
(2)
The seal of the Council shall be affixed on such documents as the Council may determine.
(3)
The seal of the Council shall, upon being affixed on a document of the Council, be authenticated by the signatures of the chairperson and the registrar, and in the absence of the chairperson, the signatures of any two members of the Council and the registrar of the Council.
(4)
Every document purporting to be an instalment issued by the Council and authenticated in the manner prescribed in subsection (3) shall be admissible in evidence without further proof, unless the contrary is shown.
13. Policy guidance by Minister
(1)
The Minister may, in writing, give policy guidance to the Council regarding the performance of its functions. (2) The Council shall comply with the policy guidance given by the Minister under subsection (1).
14. Procedure at meetings of Council
(1)
The Council shall conduct its meetings in accordance with the procedure set out in Schedule 2 to this Act. (2) Subject to subsection (1), the Council may regulate the procedure for the conduct 'of its meetings.
15. Remuneration of members of Council
The members of the Council shall be paid such remuneration as the Minister may, in consultation with the Minister responsible for finance, determine National Teachers Act 2026 Act 11
16. Committees of Council
(1)
The Council may appoint committees for the effective discharge of its functions. (2) The Council may assign to a committee appointed under subsection (1) such functions and impose such conditions as the Council may determine. (3) A committee appointed under this section shall have a maximum of five members.
17. Secretariat of Council
The Council shall have a secretariat which shall be responsible for the "J management of the Council and the implementation of the decisions of the Council.
18. Registrar of Council
(1)
The secretariat of the Council shall be headed by a registrar.
(2)
The registrar shall be appointed by the Minister on the recommendation of the Council, on terms and conditions as shall be specified in the instrument of appointment. (3) A person shall not be appointed registrar unless the person has experience in teaching of at least ten years and a post graduate degree in law, management or administration. (4) The registrar shall be deputised by a deputy registrar.
(5)
The deputy registrar shall be appointed by the Council on terms and conditions as the Council shall specify in the instrument of appointment. (6) A person shall not be appointed deputy registrar unless the person has experience in teaching of at least five years and a post graduate degree in law, management or administration.
(7)
The registrar shall be the secretary to the Council and shall be responsible for the day-to-day management of the secretariat of the Council.
(8)
The registrar shall, in the performance of his or her functions, be subject to the general control and supervision of the Council.
(9)
The Council may, from time to time, in writing, require the registrar to submit a report on the affairs of the Council.
19. Tenure of office of registrar
(1)
The registrar shall hold office for a term of five years and is eligible for reappointment for one more term. (2) The registrar may resign his or her office at any time by giving written notice of three months to the Minister and the Council. (3) The Minister may, on the recommendation of the Council, remove the registrar from office on any of the following grounds- (a) gross misconduct or misbehaviour in relation to his or her office; (b) dishonesty; (c) incompetence; (d) inability to perform his or her functions arising from infirmity of body or mind as ascertained by a medical practitioner; or (e) upon being convicted of fraud or an offence involving moral turpitude.
20. Other staff of Council
(1)
The secretariat of the Council shall have such staff as may be necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of the functions of the Council.
National Teachers Act Act 11 2026 (2) The Council shall determine the manner of apn0' staff of the Council, and shall determine the terms and condir"8 the service and discipline of the staff of the Council. tIOns of
(3)
A public officer may be seconded to the servic secretariat of the Council in accordance with the Ugand? ?the Service Standing Orders, 2021. Fublic
Part ill
21. Funds of Council The funds of the Council shall consist of
(a)
money appropriated by Partial (b) grants or donations received in accordance with the laws of Uganda; and <Cx revenue the received course by the Council of the discharge for services of its functions this Act.in rendered under
22. Bank accounts
(1)
The Council shall, with the approval of the Accountant General, open and maintain bank accounts necessary for the performance of the functions of the Council.
(2)
The registrar shall ensure that all monies received by or on behalf of the Council are banked as soon as practicable in a bank account of the Council.
(3)
The registrar shall approve the monies to be paid out of any of the bank accounts of the Council. (4) The registrar shall notify the Council on the status of the bank accounts and advise on the operation or closure of any account.
23. Budget estimates
(1)
The registrar shall, not later than four months before the end of each financial year, prepare and submit to the Council for its approval, estimates of income and expenditure of the Council for the next financial year.
(2)
The Council shall for each financial year, prepare and submit to the Minister for approval, a budget containing the estimates of the income and expenditure of the Council for the following financial year.
24. Accounts
(1)
The Council shall keep proper books of accounts and records of its transactions and affairs.
(2)
The registrar shall submit to the Council, annual books of accounts and the financial report of the Council for approval.
25. Audit
The Council shall cause to be prepared, statements of accounts of the Council for each financial year and submit the statements to the Auditor General within two months after the end of the financial year.
26. Annual report
(1)
The Council shall prepare an annual report in respect of each financial year completed containing- (a) the financial statements of the Council; (b) a report on the operations of the Council; and (c) any other information regarding the financial statements of the Council as the Minister may request. (2) The Council shall, within forty-five days after the end of each financial year, submit to the Minister the annual report referred to under subsection (1). (3) The Minister shall, within two months after receipt of the annual report, submit the report to Parliament with any statement which he or she considers necessary.
National Teachers Act 2026 Act H ,v registration OF teachers
Part 1
27. Registrat,on 0 t0 be a teacher in Uganda shaH
(D APceoXce with this Act. registered in ace tQ be registered as a teacher shall (2) A registration. apply to the Counc subsection (2) shall be in the fOrm t3b\b^iX"de"nder,hisAct preSCnbe . n not be registered as a teacher under this Act unless^! orshe is eligible to be registered as a teacher under section
28' tqnding section 28 , the Council may require a (5) Notwithst & red as a teacher but whose qualification person applying to oe g institution in Uganda to undertake a was not obtaine^Prd^ernline his or her suitability for registration.
coito'conduct the competence test on behalf of the Council.
28. Eligibility for registration
The Minister shall, in consultation with the Council, by statutory instrument, prescribe the eligibility for registration of a person as a teacher under this Act
29. Issuance of certificate of registration
(1)
Where the Council is satisfied that a person is eligible to be registered as a teacher, the Council shall register the person and issue a certificate of registration to the person. (2) The Council may issue a certificate of registration subject to such conditions as the Council may deem fit.
(3)
The certificate of registration shall be in a form prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
30. Cancellation of certificate of registration
(1)
The Council may cancel a certificate of registration where-
(a)
the holder of the certificate of registration made a false or misleading statement leading to his or her registration which would have disqualified the holder of the certificate of registration from being registered, if the Council had discovered the fact at the time of registration; (b) the holder of the certificate of registration violates any of the terms and conditions of the certificate of registration; or (c) the holder of the certificate of registration contravenes any of the provisions of this Act or regulations made under this Act. (2) Where the Council cancels a certificate of registration, the holder of the certificate of registration shall surrender the certificate to the Council within one month from the date of cancellation. (3) A person who fails to surrender a certificate of registration under subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
31. Effect of cancellation of certificate of registration
A person whose certificate of registration is cancelled under section 30 (1) shall- (a) be removed from the register of teachers; and (b) not practice as a teacher in Uganda.
National Teachers Act 2026 Act 11
Part V
32. Teaching licence
fl) A person shall not teach in any education institution or international education institution unless the person possesses a valid teaching licence issued by the Council. (2) An education institution or international education institution shall not employ a person to teach in the education institution or international education institution unless the person is licensed to teach under this Act. (3) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding one hundred currency points or imprisonment for a term not exceeding four years, or both. (4) An education institution or international education institution which contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence and is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding four hundred currency points and the licence of the education institution or international education institution shall be revoked for a period of one year.
33. Application for teaching licence
(1)
A person shall, upon payment of the prescribed fee, apply to the Council for a teaching licence.
(2)
An application for a teaching licence under subsection (1) shall be accompanied by-
(a)
a copy of the certificate of registration; (b) proof of payment of the prescribed fees; and (c) any other requirement as may be prescribed by regulations.
34. Application by persons not Ugandan
(1)
Where the person making an application under section 33 is not a Ugandan, the person shall show proof that he or she- (a) is registered or recognised as a teacher in the country where he or she has been teaching, by an authority equivalent to the Council; and (b) has been teaching for the past three years. (2) An applicant under subsection (1) shall, in addition to the requirements under section 33(2) , submit-
(a)
a work pennit granted under the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Act;
(b)
a certificate of good conduct issued by Interpol; and (c) his or her academic qualifications, equated by the National Council for Higher Education. (3) The Council may require a person applying to be licensed as a teacher under this section to undertake a competence test to determine his or her suitability for licensing.
35. Issuance of teaching licence
(1)
The Council shall, upon receipt of an application under section 33 , consider the application and where the Council is satisfied that the person meets the requirements for the issuance of a teaching licence prescribed under section 33 or 34 , issue a teaching licence to the applicant. (2) The Council may issue a teaching licence subject to such conditions as the Council may consider necessary and may, from time to time, add, vary or substitute the conditions as it deems appropriate. (3) A teaching licence issued under this Act shall be valid for a period of four years from the date of issue.
(4)
A teaching licence issued under this Act shall be in the form prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
(5)
A teaching licence issued under this Act is not transferable.
36. Refusal to issue teaching licence
(1)
The Council may refuse to grant a teaching licence where the applicant does not meet the requirements under section 33 or 34 , or any other requirements prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
(2)
Where the Council refuses to grant a teaching licence under subsection (1), the Council shall, in writing, give reasons for the refusal to the applicant.
37. Renewal of teaching licence
(1)
A teacher licensed to teach under this Act shall, within two months before the expiry of his or her teaching licence, apply to the Council for renewal of his or her teaching licence.
(2)
An application for renewal of a teaching licence shall be in accordance with regulations made under this Act. (3) The Council shall, where it is satisfied that the teacher has complied with the requirements for renewal of a teaching licence, renew the licence. (4) A teaching licence renewed under subsection (3) shall not be issued subject to any condition which is less advantageous than the condition attached to the teaching licence being renewed unless the person seeking the renewal of the teaching licence has been given an opportunity to be heard by the Council.
38. Suspension or revocation of teaching licence
(1)
The Council may suspend a teaching licence issued under this Act for a period determined by the Council where- (a) the teacher violates the terms and conditions of the licence; or
(b)
the Council finds that the conduct of the teacher is not sufficiently grave to warrant revocation of the licence under subsection (4). (2) The Council may, upon suspending a teaching licence, set conditions to be met by the teacher whose teaching licence has been suspended, before the suspension is lifted. (3) Where the teacher fails to meet the conditions set by the Council under subsection (2) within the period specified in the letter of suspension, the Council shall revoke the licence.
(4)
The Council may revoke a teaching licence issued under this Act, where the holder of the licence-
(a)
breaches the professional code of conduct for teachers so as to warrant a revocation of the licence; or (b) is convicted of a capital offence. (5) Where the Council revokes a teaching licence, the Council shall, within twenty-one working days from the date of revocation of the licence, give the teacher reasons for the revocation of the teaching licence in writing.
39. Temporary teaching licence
(1)
A person who is not a citizen of Uganda and who intends to teach in Uganda for a period not exceeding six months shall apply to the Council for a temporary teaching licence to teach in Uganda. (2) A person making an application under subsection (1) shall- (a) possess academic qualifications recognised by the National Council for Higher Education and the Council; (b) be recognised as a teacher in accordance with the laws or standards of the country where he or she has been teaching for the past three years; and (c) possess a certificate of good conduct issued by Interpol.
Act 11 National Teachers Act 2026
teaching lie J 5 Y reqU1Ve a person for a temporary written appear ln person' before the Council for an oral or written examination to determine his or her competence.
40. Duplication of Part V from specified categories of persons
(1)
This Part shall not apply to- (a) a student undertaking school practice;
(b)
a teacher attached to an education institution or an international education institution as a visiting teacher for a period not exceeding three months for purposes of building the capacity of other teachers licensed under this Act; and (c) a person who provides skills or facilitates in a particular subject for less than two weeks. (2) The Minister may, by regulations, prescribe the conduct of persons referred to in subsection (1 )(c).
41. Exemption of persons from Part IV and Part V by Minister
The Minister may, by statutory order- (a) exempt any person or category of persons from the requirements of Part IV and Part V of this Act; and (b) prescribe the procedure and manner in which a person or category of persons exempted under paragraph (a) shall engage in teaching in education institutions or international education institutions.
Part VI
42. Continuous professional development
(1)
Every teacher who engages in teaching shall undertake continuous professional development as the Minister may, on recommendation of the Council, prescribe by regulations.
(4)
The Minister shall, on the recommendation of the Council, by regulations, prescribe the professional code of conduct for teachers.
44. Disciplinary committee of Council
(1)
The Council shall constitute a disciplinary committee to handle cases of professional discipline of teachers registered or licensed under this Act.
(2)
The disciplinary committee shall consist of five members who shall be selected from among the members of the Council, one of whom shall be the advocate. (3) The disciplinary committee shall elect a chairperson from among its members. (4) At any meeting of the disciplinary committee, quorum shall be formed by three members, including the chairperson and the advocate.
45. Complaints against teachers
(1)
A person may lodge with the Council, a complaint against a teacher registered or licensed under this Act whose conduct amounts to professional misconduct. (2) For the purposes of this section, the conduct of a teacher amounts to professional misconduct if he or she engages or acts in a manner contrary to section 43 and the professional code of conduct for teachers prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
46. Inquiry into complaints
The Minister shall, by regulations, provide for the procedure and mechanism of holding inquiries and the general handling of complaints by the disciplinary committee of the Council.
47. Powers of disciplinary committee The disciplinary
committee shall have power to (a) summon witnesses to attend disciplinary hearing; (b) requite the discovery and production of any documents; (c) receive evidence; and (d) requisition any public record or copies thereof from any office.
48. Power to co-opt and expert advice
The disciplinary committee may co-opt an expert to give an expert opinion in any field which is the subject of inquiry.
49. Decisions of disciplinary committee and the right to appeal
(1)
The disciplinary committee shall handle a complaint and make a decision in writing.
(2)
The registrar shall, in writing, inform the teacher and the employer of the teacher under disciplinary proceedings of the decision of the committee. (3) A person aggrieved by the decision of the committee may appeal to a court presided over by a chief magistrate.
50. Sanctions of disciplinary committee
(1)
Where a teacher is found guilty of professional misconduct under this Act, the Council may invoke any of the following sanctions
(a)
refuse to issue or renew a licence; (b) revoke or suspend a licence; (c) cancel a certificate of registration; (d) cause the removal of the teacher from the register; or (e) impose a fine on the teacher, not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points.
National Teachers Act 2026 Act 11
(2)
The Council may, where it deems it necessary, direct a teacher to undergo continuous professional development until the teacher attains a level of professionalism satisfactory to the Council.
(3)
Disciplinary proceedings under this Act shall not bar any person from proceeding with any criminal, civil oi administrative proceedings against a teacher against whom a complaint is lodged.
Part VIII
51. Register of teachers
(1)
The Council shall maintain a register of teachers in a form prescribed by regulations made under this Act. (2) The Council shall remove a teacher from the register-
(a)
where the teacher has made a request, in writing, that his or her name be removed from the register; (b) where the teacher is found guilty of professional misconduct and the Council deems it necessary to remove his or her name from the register; (c) where the teacher is convicted of a capital offence; or (d) where the teacher dies and the Council has obtained proof of death.
52. Restoration of name on register of teachers
(1)
A teacher whose name has been removed from the register under section 5 l(2)(a) or (b) may, where he or she has justifiable reasons, apply to the Council to restore his or her name on the register. (2) The Council may consider the application to restore the name of the teacher on the register where the Council finds the reasons under subsection (1) sufficient to allow the restoration of a name on the register.
53. Correction of errors on register of teachers
(1)
The registrar may, with the approval of the Council, from time to time, make alterations or correct errors on the register.
(2)
A person who wishes to make a change or correction in any of the particulars entered in the register, shall notify the registrar of the change in writing.
(3)
A notification under subsection (2) shall be in a form prescribed by regulations and shall be accompanied by certified copies of documents attesting to the intended change.
54. Publication of registered and licensed teachers
(1)
The registrar shall, not later than the 31st day of March of every year, cause to be published in the Gazette and in a newspaper of wide circulation in Uganda, all teachers registered or issued with a teaching licence under this Act.
(2)
The publication referred to in subsection (1) shall beprima facie evidence that a person whose name appears in the register is duly registered and licensed under this Act.
55. Appeal against decisions of Council
A person aggrieved by a decision of the Council under this Act may appeal to the High Court or a relevant court.
56. Offence of engaging in teaching after deregistration or
revocation of teaching licence (1) A person commits an offence who- (a) contravenes, in any way, the conditions of his or her certificate of registration or teaching licence; (b) engages in teaching after he or she has been notified of his or her deregistration, or of the cancellation or revocation of his or her certificate of registration or teaching licence;
National Teachers Act 2026 Act 11
(c)
permits any person to teach or continues to employ any teacher in an education institution or international education institution after being notified of the deregistration or revocation of the teaching licence of the teacher he or she employs; or (d) knowingly employs any person as a teacher in contravention of this Act. (2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred currency points or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years, or both.
(3)
Where an offence under this section is committed by a body corporate, the body corporate is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding five hundred currency points.
57. General offences
(1)
A person commits an offence who- (a) purporting to be a teacher, falsely uses any name or title; (b) not being registered, licensed or otherwise authorised under this Act, holds himself or herself out as a teacher, whether openly or covertly; (c) wilfully procures or attempts to procure himself or herself to be registered under this Act by false or fraudulent representation, either verbally or in writing; or (d) aids or abets another person to hold himself or herself out1 as a teacher or to procure registration or licensing under this Act using fraudulent means. (2) A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty currency points, or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, or both.
58. Regulations
(1)
The Minister may, in consultation with the Council, make regulations generally for the better carrying into effect of the provisions of this Act.
(2)
Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Minister may, make regulations prescribing-
(a)
the professional code of conduct for teachers; (b) the manner in which continuous professional development may be conducted; (c) procedures for the registration and licensing of teachers; (d) procedures for conducting disciplinary hearings and inquiries; (e) any form required for any matter under this Act; (f) any fees to be charged under this Act; and (g) the period within which appeals or notifications may be made.
59. Amendment of Schedules
(1)
The Minister may, by statutory instrument with the approval of Cabinet, amend Schedule 1 to this Act. (2) The Minister may, by statutory instrument, amend Schedule 2 to this Act.
60. Repeal of Part V and Schedule
4 of the Education (PrePrimary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act
Part V
61. Savings
(1)
At the commencement of this Act, any teacher who is registered nnder the Education (Pre-Primary, Primary and PostPrimary) Act shall be deemed to have been registered under this Act.
(2)
A person who, at the commencement of this Act, holds a valid licence to teach, granted under the Education (Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act shall continue teaching until the licence expires.
(3)
Where a licence referred to in subsection (2), expires or is cancelled or revoked, any other licence to be subsequently issued shall be in accordance with the provisions of this Act.
62. Transitional
(1)
Notwithstanding section 61(1) , a teacher, who at the commencement of this Act is registered under the Education (PrePrimary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act, but whose qualifications are not in compliance with the eligibility requirements prescribed under section 28 , shall, within ten years from the commencement of this Act, comply with the requirements for eligibility prescribed under section 28 of this Act. (2) A registered teacher who at the commencement of this Act is teaching without a teaching licence, shall apply to the Council for a teaching licence two years after the commencement of this Act.
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1
CURRENCY POINT
Section 3
A currency point is equivalent to twenty thousand shillings.
x ,, National Teachers Act Act 11 2026
SCHEDULE 2 Section 14 meetings of the council h
1. Meetings of Council
(1)
The chairperson of the Council shall convene every meeting of the Council at such time and place as the Council may determine, and the Council shall meet for the discharge of business at least once every three months.
(2)
The chairperson may, at any time, convene a special meeting of the Council within seven days, if requested in writing by at least five members of the Council.
(3)
Notice of a meeting of the Council shall be given in writing to each member, at least fourteen working days before the day of the meeting. (4) The chairperson shall preside at every meeting of the Council and in the absence of the chairperson, the vice-chairperson shall preside and in the absence of the chairperson and the vice chairperson, the members present shall appoint a member from among themselves to preside at that meeting.
2. Quorum
(1)
The quorum for a meeting of the Council is two-thirds of the members.
(2)
All decisions at a meeting of the Council shall be by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting and in case of an equality of votes, the person presiding at the meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to his or her deliberative vote.
3. Minutes of meeting
(1)
The Council shall cause to be recorded and kept, minutes of all meetings of the Council in a form approved by the Council.
Act 11 National Teachers Act 2026
th c mU T Unc^er subparagraph (1) shall be confirmed by , e °UnC1 t^e next meeting and signed by the chairperson of meeting and the secretary to the Council, unless a different procedure is adopted by the Council.
4. Decision by circulation of papers
(1)
Subject to paragraph 2, the decisions of the Council may be made y the circulation of the relevant papers among the members and the expression of their views in writing, but any member is entitled to request that the decision be deferred until the subject matter is considered at a meeting of the Council.
(2)
A decision made by circulation of papers under this paragraph is not valid unless it is supported by at least more than five members.
5. Power to co-opt
(1)
The Council may co-opt any person who, in the opinion of the Council, has expert knowledge on any matter to be considered by the Council, to attend and take part in the proceedings of the Council.
(2)
A person co-opted under this paragraph may take part in any discussion at the meeting of the Council on which his or her advice is required but shall not have a right to vote at that meeting.
6. Validity of proceedings not affected by vacancy
The validity of any proceedings of the Council shall not be affected by a vacancy in its membership or by any defect in the appointment or qualification of a member.
7. Disclosure of interest of members
(1)
A member of the Council who is in any way directly or indirectly interested in a contract made or proposed to be made by the Council, or in any other matter which falls to be considered by the Council, shall disclose the nature of his or her interest at a meeting of the Council.
(2)
A disclosure made under subparagraph (1) shall be recorded in the minutes of that meeting.
(3)
A member who makes a disclosure under subparagraph (1) shall not-
(a)
be present during any deliberation of the Council with respect to that matter; or (b) take part in any decision of the Council with respect to that matter. (4) For purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, a member withdrawing from a meeting or who is not taking part in a meeting under subparagraph (3) shall be treated as being present.
8. Council may regulate its procedure
Subject to this Act, the Council may regulate its own procedure.
Cross References
Constitution Education (Pre-Primary, Primary and Post-Primary) Act, Cap. 247 Education Service Act, Act Cap. 85 Insolvency Act, Cap. 108 Local Governments Act, Cap. 138 Mental Health Act Cap. 308 Oaths Act, Cap. 21 Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Act, Cap. 313 Universities and Other Tertiary Institutions Act, Cap. 262
Original Laws of Uganda consolidation — public-domain legislation, consolidated by ULII / Laws.Africa (CC BY 4.0). This is a point-in-time text and may not reflect later amendments; confirm against the latest Uganda Gazette before relying on it.