Kabale, Uganda — The Kabale District Education Officer (DEO), Moses Bwengye Tumwijukye, has expressed concern over increasing cases of alcohol abuse among secondary school science teachers, warning that the government’s salary enhancement programme may be producing unintended consequences affecting the quality of education.
Bwengye said several science teachers in the district have failed to utilise their increased earnings productively and have instead turned to excessive alcohol consumption, resulting in declining classroom performance, poor discipline, and in some cases, death.
The government significantly increased salaries for science teachers beginning in the 2022/2023 financial year as part of efforts to improve motivation and address disparities within the teaching profession. Under the salary enhancement programme, graduate science teachers now earn approximately Shs4 million per month, while science head teachers earn up to Shs6.5 million monthly.
While the policy was designed to improve teachers’ welfare and enhance the quality of science education, Bwengye said some beneficiaries have misused the opportunity.
He made the remarks on 18th June 2026, during a stakeholders’ meeting of the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) Council for Kabale Campus and the official handover of the former National Teachers’ College (NTC) Kabale to the UNITE Council.
Bwengye revealed that alcohol abuse among some science teachers has become a serious concern in Kabale District, noting that many have not invested their earnings in income-generating activities, savings schemes, or other productive ventures.
Instead, he said, some teachers have resorted to excessive drinking, spending a significant portion of their salaries in bars and entertainment venues. In some cases, teachers have reportedly taken loans to sustain alcohol consumption, a trend he described as worrying and unsustainable.
“Some of these teachers have become victims of alcohol abuse because they suddenly found themselves earning large sums of money without adequate financial planning. Instead of investing, they spend much of their income on drinking,” Bwengye said.
He further disclosed that Kabale District has already lost two teachers due to alcohol-related complications, urging education managers to take urgent corrective action.
Bwengye also warned that some teachers have neglected their professional responsibilities, spending more time in drinking places than in classrooms, which has negatively affected learning outcomes.
“This has affected classroom performance and undermined the purpose for which government increased their salaries,” he added.
He called on teacher training institutions to place greater emphasis on discipline, ethics, and responsible living alongside academic training, noting that character formation should be central to teacher preparation.
The remarks sparked discussion among education stakeholders attending the meeting, with many agreeing that financial empowerment alone is insufficient without proper guidance and mentorship.
Professor James Tumwine, Dean of the School of Medicine at Kabale University and former Chairperson of the Governing Council of NTC Kabale, said alcohol abuse is a broader societal issue requiring structured support systems.
He urged the Uganda National Institute for Teacher Education (UNITE) to establish counselling and psychosocial support mechanisms to help teachers and students struggling with addiction and behavioural challenges.
“There is a need for support mechanisms within institutions. Early identification and professional counselling can help prevent escalation of such problems,” Prof. Tumwine said.
UNITE Vice Chancellor Prof. Betty Ezati Akullu noted that the government has introduced financial literacy programmes aimed at improving teachers’ ability to manage income, save, and invest productively.
She said many teachers receive enhanced salaries without adequate financial management skills, making them vulnerable to poor spending decisions, and stressed the need for stronger financial education.
Vice Chairperson of the UNITE Council, Teopista Mayanja, also highlighted the role of the newly established National Teachers’ Council in regulating the profession, licensing teachers, and enforcing ethical standards.
She said the council will help strengthen professionalism and ensure accountability in the teaching sector.
The concerns were raised during a key meeting marking reforms in teacher education in Uganda. UNITE Kabale Campus, established in July 2024, is part of wider reforms aimed at phasing out Grade III and Grade V teaching qualifications in favour of Bachelor of Education programmes by 2031.
Education stakeholders expressed optimism that the reforms will produce disciplined, ethical, and professionally competent teachers capable of transforming Uganda’s education sector.
