Minister warns Chinese industrialists against abusing workers' rights

NAKASEKE - Labour, employment and industrial relations state minister Esther Anyakun has urged Chinese industrialists of Lao Shen (Kapeeka) industrial park in Nakaseke to humanely treat their workers.

Anyakun, who was on a political oversight visit to the industrial park on Thursday, October 2, 2025, warned that beating, using abusive language and other forms of mistreatment are prohibited in the workplace.

Anyakun, whose delegation met with the industrial park administrators and toured some of the factories, heard from some of the workers who were being beaten by their Chinese supervisors and subjected to salary deductions for being late to work.

To prove the allegation, one of the workers who claimed to have been beaten showed slap marks on his right cheek to the minister and her delegation, which included officials from the National Organisation of Trade Unions and Uganda Employers Federation (UEF).

Protective gear challenges

During their tour of the factories, Anyakun's delegation also discovered that the workers had no protective gear and were working under extremely high temperatures and high machine noise, both of which were detrimental to their health.

Anyakun observed that some of the workers looked stressed because of the alleged mistreatment and bad working environment.

Anyakun appreciated Lao Shen investors for creating jobs for Ugandans but urged them to strike a balance between quantity and quality of employment. 

Minister Anyakun and her delegation talking to some of the factory workers. (Credit: Frederick Kiwanuka)

She emphasised the requirement for all investors and employers to comply with the Ugandan labour laws. 

The minister also urged all employers to work closely with workers' representatives and government officials (inspectors and labour officers) in undertaking their work.

NOTU treasurer general Moses Mauku said the workers lacked contracts, had no appointment letters and had no welfare facilities.

Mauku also observed that some of the workers in the textile factory were visibly under age although they confessed to being 18 years old.

We work within the law

The general manager of the industrial park, Shida Nampomba, said they were employing 3,500 workers. She said the complex had a total of 31 factories, 10 of which were still under construction.

Nampomba, however, denied allegations that the workers were being mistreated.
"We work within the law. We are not above the law," she said.

Henry Saaba, a representative of the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) urged the management of the industrial park to always protect their workers against work-related sicknesses, diseases and injuries.

Saaba also encouraged all employers to conduct health and safety audits, register their workplaces with the labour ministry and seek advice on how to handle workers.