Soroti Secondary School head teacher, Mr. Oluka Wilfred Okeriau has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of General Secretary in the upcoming elections of the Association of Secondary School Headteachers of Uganda (ASSHU) National Standing Committee (NSTAC).
Mr. Oluka made the announcement during an interview in which he outlined his experience, motivation and vision for the role.
With 29 years of service as a teacher, five years as a deputy head teacher and now nine years as a Head teacher, he believes he has the credentials and capacity to serve at the national level.
Currently, he serves as the Teso Region Coordinator on the National Executive Committee (NEC) of ASSHU.
However, he is now seeking a “bigger and more promoted position” to strengthen Teso’s representation in national education leadership.
The elections for the National Standing Committee are scheduled to take place on 11th and 12th September 2025 in Masaka.
Only members of ASSHU are eligible to vote, meaning all head teachers across Uganda, both from private and government schools, will converge in Masaka to elect new office bearers.
Mr. Oluka emphasized the importance of this democratic process and encouraged participation from across the country.
While only head teachers are eligible voters, he appealed to deputy head teachers to also attend and lobby their colleagues who are headteachers to support his candidature.
“Even though deputies may not cast a ballot, they can influence friends and colleagues who are eligible to vote,” he explained.
“This will ensure Teso’s presence and voice in national education leadership.”
In articulating his reasons for seeking the position of General Secretary, Mr. Oluka outlined four key motivations: Teso’s Representation in National Leadership, He noted that the region has often been underrepresented in national educational position.
“We should not be left out when important national positions are being shared,” he stressed.
Besides that he talked of Capability to Lead, According to him leadership is not about waiting to be chosen but about showing up when one has the ability.
“If you have the capability to lead, you need to present yourself. I believe I have that capability and that is why I am contesting,” he said.
The third reason is Influence in Decision Making, Mr. Oluka explained that the NSTAC plays a critical role in shaping decisions that affect head teachers and all teachers nationwide.
By securing this position he hopes to bring more benefits to teachers in Teso and beyond.
Lastly, Negotiating Power for Teso, He revealed that he is the only candidate from the Teso sub-region contesting in the committee elections making his victory essential for regional balance.
“This position of General Secretary will give me a stronger platform to negotiate for Teso,” he concluded.
The National Standing Committee (NSTAC) consists of seven members who steer the association’s affairs.
Together with regional coordinators, they form the 21 member National Executive Committee (NEC), which is the apex leadership of ASSHU.
This structure ensures that voices from different regions of the country are represented in shaping the policies and welfare programs for secondary school head teachers.
Mr. Oluka used the opportunity to rally all head teachers from Teso to actively participate in the forthcoming elections.
He emphasized that representation is not just about one person winning a position but about an entire region claiming its space in national decision making.
“I am standing not only for myself but for Teso as a whole. We must unite and ensure that our voices are heard. With this position, I will be able to negotiate for the welfare of teachers from our region,” he said.
Mr. Oluka’s candidature adds weight to the competition as he brings nearly four decades of cumulative experience in teaching and school leadership.
His supporters argue that his long service and current role as regional coordinator make him a strong candidate for the post.
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Mzee u will go through