Workers have a right to unionise

By Samuel Sanya

There are close to 40 registered labour and trade unions in Uganda, but few, if any can successfully hold an annual general meeting due to dismal membership.

Only a handful of labour unions have been able to replicate the success of the Uganda National Teachers Union and the Government has blamed the trend on employers that restrict their employees.

Mugalu Kamya, the commissioner for labour, industrial relations and labour productivity in the labour ministry says labour unions should be encouraged as this will in turn work to improve working conditions around the country.

Article 29 (1) of the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda says ‘Every person shall have the right to freedom of association including trade (labour) unions.” “Employees should be left to enjoy their rights.

However, they should remember that the rights should be exercised in their absolute form all the time,” Kamya told the Federation of Uganda Employers Annual General Meeting in Kiwanga, Mukono.

Kamya was representing the labour minister Mary Karoro Okurut. He noted that employers should provide safe working environments and protective clothing for workers in risky environments.

Rosemary Ssenabulya, the FUE executive director, noted that the annual Employer of the Year survey results will be released on May 8 under the theme; employee engagement as an organisation performance driver