The call to modernize Uganda’s employment laws and improve worker compensation took center stage at the 3rd Annual National Labour Convention and Expo, which opened on Wednesday,23 at the Mestil Hotel, Kampala.
Betty Amongi Ochom, Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the urgent need to align Uganda’s labor laws with the changing world of work, particularly the rise of online and gig-based employment among youth.
“Our laws must reflect the evolving nature of employment,” Amongi said. “Online jobs are now a major source of income for many young Ugandans. We must regulate and support this sector to ensure fairness and protection for all workers.”
She noted that a growing number of Ugandans, especially young people, are earning income through digital platforms yet most remain outside the protections offered by traditional labor laws.
Amongi urged stakeholders to reimagine labor policy to better reflect this new reality.
Amongi also addressed the inadequate worker compensation. She raised concern about the persistent reports of injured workers being denied rightful compensation and called for stricter enforcement of the Workers Compensation Act.
“We continue to receive complaints, and that’s unacceptable,” she said. “We must strengthen our collaboration with employers and trade unions to ensure that no injured worker is left behind.”
The two-day event is themed “Strengthening Compliance to Employment Law: A Prerequisite for Decent Jobs, Economic Empowerment and Inclusive Growth.” It was officially opened by Third Deputy Prime Minister Lukia Isanga Nakadama, representing the Prime Minister, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a fair and just labor environment.
Dr. Aggrey David Kibenge, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry tackled the ongoing initiatives to digitize labor administration systems, efforts that emanate from commitments made during the previous year’s expo. He emphasized that this year’s convention aims to foster deeper understanding and practical enforcement of labor laws across various sectors.
Mr. Douglas Opio, CEO of the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), stressed the increasing relevance of labor and employment issues in Uganda’s national development agenda, particularly regarding job creation and workforce protection.
Throughout the convention, speakers provided valuable insights into Uganda’s evolving labor landscape. DFCU Bank Managing Director Mr. Charles Mudiwa delivered a keynote titled “Preparing Uganda’s Workforce for Decent Work as a Means for Inclusive Economic Development,” while Dr. Phiona Mpanga of Makerere University’s School of Law spoke on “Employment Law Compliance as a Driver of Inclusive Growth in Uganda.”
Commissioner for Labour, Industrial Relations and Productivity, Mr. Alex Asiimwe, offered a comprehensive overview of the current labor environment and announced the upcoming launch of a national job-matching platform designed to boost employment opportunities across the country.
A key highlight of the event was a panel discussion on “Navigating the Future of Work in Uganda: Ensuring Fair Employment Practices and Legal Compliance in a Technology-Driven Workplace.” Panelists from the legal, tech, finance, and labor sectors including experts from ILO PROSPECTS, SafeBoda, Post Bank Uganda, and the Ministry of Gender discussed challenges and solutions within Uganda’s expanding gig economy.
Running alongside the convention is an expo showcasing tools and resources on labor rights and legal compliance. Organizers hope the forum will generate actionable strategies for strengthening labor governance and advancing decent work for all Ugandans.
