By Alfred Opio
New Leadership Elected in Pallisa District Teachers Association
Headteachers across Pallisa District have elected a new leadership team to guide the Pallisa District Teachers Association, following what officials described as a peaceful, transparent, and credible electoral process.
The elections were held at Kalaki Primary School in Pallisa Town Council, drawing participation from headteachers across the district, who were the sole eligible voters.
Competitive Races Across Key Positions
A total of five leadership positions were contested, including chairperson, vice chairperson, general secretary, assistant general secretary, and treasurer.
In the closely fought race for chairperson, Michael Namuseke emerged victorious with 32 votes. He was followed by Robert Okiria with 28 votes, while Moses Okiring secured 7 votes and Robert Okia obtained 5 votes.
For the position of vice chairperson, Peter Anguria won decisively with 40 votes, defeating Martha Apio Okurut (25 votes) and Albert Osako (7 votes).
In the treasurer race, Magadelin Ariokorit secured victory with 43 votes, ahead of Betty Apolot (20 votes) and Beatrice Imeesa (9 votes).
Meanwhile, Robert Esiot Ojaye was declared general secretary unopposed, alongside Clement Angura who assumed the role of assistant general secretary without contest.
Transparent Process Praised
The chairperson of the electoral commission and returning officer, Stephen Opela, commended the conduct of the elections, noting that the process was free, fair, and devoid of disputes.
“The elections were conducted transparently, and no complaints were raised by any of the candidates,” he said.
New Chairperson Pledges Unity and Reform
In his acceptance speech, Namuseke—who also serves as Headteacher of Kasodo Primary School—expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him by fellow headteachers.
“I want to thank all the headteachers for the confidence they have shown in me. I am ready to serve with one heart and ensure that we work together for the good of the district and our learners,” he said.
He outlined key priorities for his tenure, including addressing disparities in teacher distribution and ensuring educators are deployed according to their areas of specialization.
“Some schools have excess teachers while others remain understaffed. We must also ensure teachers are aligned with their subject specializations to improve performance,” he added.
Call for Unity and Capacity Building
The Pallisa District Inspector of Schools, John Opedun, congratulated the newly elected leaders and urged members to maintain unity beyond the electoral process.
“Let us avoid divisions after elections and continue working together as brothers and sisters,” he said.
Opedun also revealed plans to organize an induction program aimed at equipping the new leadership with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively execute their roles.
Looking Ahead
The newly elected team is expected to serve as a unifying force among headteachers while advocating for improved education standards across the district.
With a renewed mandate, the association now looks to strengthen collaboration within the education sector and address key challenges affecting schools in Pallisa District.
