NGO-HR summit rallies for strategic HR leadership in private sector workspaces

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Uganda’s non-profit sector is being urged to redefine its human resource practices as the backbone of organisational resilience amid shifting regulations, evolving funding landscapes, and mounting demands for sustainable impact.

This call to action came during the NGO--HR Summit, held in Kampala last week in Bugolobi under the theme “From Uncertainty to Opportunity: People, Purpose, and Progress.”

BrighterMonday Uganda, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, organised the meeting that brought together HR professionals, NGO leaders, and policymakers to explore how human resource management can move beyond traditional administration to become a strategic driver of institutional sustainability and decent work.

According to Xenia Wachira, Country Director of BrighterMonday Uganda, the meeting offered an opportunity to reflect on the summit’s journey from concept to reality. 

“It’s an honour to finally make a concept a reality. There is so much going on in the NGO sector and we don’t get to hear much about it,” she said.

Wachira shared BrighterMonday’s evolution since its founding in 2014, explaining that the company has expanded beyond being a job platform to providing end-to-end people solutions from executive recruitment to training and employer branding.

“We are your business partners. We solve problems, starting from talent acquisition to aligning job structures with strategy. The world of work has changed, and we’ve pivoted with it.”

She also highlighted BrighterMonday’s Gen Kazi Initiative, which aims to bridge Uganda’s persistent gap between job supply and demand, especially among the young.

Pamela Kabahesi, Country Programs Lead at BrighterMonday Uganda, emphasised the need for meaningful, dignified employment and the role of collaboration in achieving it.

“Employment is about creating work that is dignified and fulfilling. Uganda has one of the youngest populations in Africa. We must nurture this talent, guide them through their careers, and help shape the kind of leaders they will become.”

Kabahesi called for stronger partnerships between NGOs and the private sector to ensure that youth entering the workforce are not only employable but also supported to grow.

Delivering the keynote address, Zakari Kansiime, Commissioner at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, applauded BrighterMonday Uganda, the NGO--HR Network, and Mastercard Foundation for their collaboration.

He emphasised HR’s pivotal role in ensuring decent work, compliance, and ethical governance across Uganda’s NGO landscape.

“Your theme, From Uncertainty to Opportunity, People, Purpose, Progress, truly captures the spirit of our times. Partnerships such as the one between BrighterMonday Uganda and the NGO HR Network are crucial for harnessing Uganda’s young population and turning potential into productivity.”

Kansiime reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with NGOs to strengthen compliance, protect workers’ rights, and promote decent work.

He also encouraged NGOs to seek early consultation with labour offices to manage employment challenges lawfully and fairly, highlighting that compliance is cheaper than correction.

Throughout the summit, discussions centred on how NGOs can remain agile amid uncertainty by prioritising people-centred strategies, embracing technology, and fostering inclusive workplaces.

As Uganda’s NGO sector continues to employ tens of thousands and drive social impact across health, education, and governance, the summit concluded with a shared message: progress begins with people.