What does Labour day mean to you?
LABOUR Day is an international holiday celebrated the world over. However, in Uganda many people look at it as another working day while others do not even know it exists.
LABOUR Day is an international holiday celebrated the world over. However, in Uganda many people look at it as another working day while others do not even know it exists. Arthur Baguma talked to Ugandans about their views on celebrating the day.
Richard Banamuwone, a boda boda rider
Why would I celebrate? I do not know what the public holiday stands for. I am still struggling and trying to survive. Why would someone struggling to earn a dollar per day also jump and celebrate over a day that was created for the rich? A poor man never goes on holiday. I will spend the day working.
Musa Ecweru, state minister for disaster preparedness
Labour Day is for all people who labour right from the woman who sells cabbage in the market. Civilisation would not have come this far without human labour. It is not a question of white collar jobs. It is for all people who do some kind of work to make the world a better place. When I was still an ordinary person I celebrated with my family, but now I am a public figure. On most Labour Day holidays I attend public functions.
Dr Sam Lyomoki, Workers MP
It is a day to reflect on how workers have had their status improved. It is supposed to be a public holiday, but I end up at national Labour Day celebrations every year. It is a working day for me because that is my area of interest. I will be in Soroti for the national celebrations.
Sarah Zawede, a musician
I spend my day entertaining people. I last celebrated Labour Day three years ago when I was a student. All I know is that apart from it being a holiday for people who work, there is nothing special associated with it.
Dr. Maggie Kigozi, executive director of Uganda Investment Authority
I will have a nice lunch with my family. I encourage workers to celebrate it. But for those who have to work, life goes on. There are areas which cannot celebrate the holiday like hotels and hospitals.
At least Uganda has cause to celebrate. There are more jobs being created. Last year, we licensed projects which brought in 55,000 jobs. For every job in a company, there is another created in form of backward linkages.
Hassan Wadulu, shoe-shine
It is a working day for me. My worry, though, is that I may not get customers. Most of them will be at home. Labour Day is not a big issue for self-employed people like me. Government employees can take a day off because they would still get their salaries. There is nothing to celebrate. I do not know why they even called it Labour Day.
Isa Ssekito, chairman
of KACITA
It is an ordinary day and I would not wish for it to be a public holiday. Since it is Labour Day, it should be about labour. Today, we should be rewarding people who have excelled in different services, including traders. In future, we shall award the best workers on Labour Day. This is better than the political posturing.
James Kirya, a vendor
I have never celebrated Labour Day. In fact, you (Baguma) are the one telling me about it. What is the day meant for? I will spend it in the market. How can I celebrate Labour Day without something to put in my stomach? It is a holiday for those who have jobs. My living depends on my daily earnings.
Muhamad Ngobi, a taxi driver
Labour Day is for civil servants. How can you celebrate the day when everyone around you is un-employed? I have several dependants with no jobs. So what would I be celebrating? The Government should make the day optional. It does not make sense to celebrate when unemployment is biting and people have nothing to eat. It is one of those things we copy from the Western culture.
Richard Banamuwone, a boda boda rider
Why would I celebrate? I do not know what the public holiday stands for. I am still struggling and trying to survive. Why would someone struggling to earn a dollar per day also jump and celebrate over a day that was created for the rich? A poor man never goes on holiday. I will spend the day working.
Musa Ecweru, state minister for disaster preparedness
Labour Day is for all people who labour right from the woman who sells cabbage in the market. Civilisation would not have come this far without human labour. It is not a question of white collar jobs. It is for all people who do some kind of work to make the world a better place. When I was still an ordinary person I celebrated with my family, but now I am a public figure. On most Labour Day holidays I attend public functions.
Dr Sam Lyomoki, Workers MP
It is a day to reflect on how workers have had their status improved. It is supposed to be a public holiday, but I end up at national Labour Day celebrations every year. It is a working day for me because that is my area of interest. I will be in Soroti for the national celebrations.
Sarah Zawede, a musician
I spend my day entertaining people. I last celebrated Labour Day three years ago when I was a student. All I know is that apart from it being a holiday for people who work, there is nothing special associated with it.
Dr. Maggie Kigozi, executive director of Uganda Investment Authority
I will have a nice lunch with my family. I encourage workers to celebrate it. But for those who have to work, life goes on. There are areas which cannot celebrate the holiday like hotels and hospitals.
At least Uganda has cause to celebrate. There are more jobs being created. Last year, we licensed projects which brought in 55,000 jobs. For every job in a company, there is another created in form of backward linkages.
Hassan Wadulu, shoe-shine
It is a working day for me. My worry, though, is that I may not get customers. Most of them will be at home. Labour Day is not a big issue for self-employed people like me. Government employees can take a day off because they would still get their salaries. There is nothing to celebrate. I do not know why they even called it Labour Day.
Isa Ssekito, chairman
of KACITA
It is an ordinary day and I would not wish for it to be a public holiday. Since it is Labour Day, it should be about labour. Today, we should be rewarding people who have excelled in different services, including traders. In future, we shall award the best workers on Labour Day. This is better than the political posturing.
James Kirya, a vendor
I have never celebrated Labour Day. In fact, you (Baguma) are the one telling me about it. What is the day meant for? I will spend it in the market. How can I celebrate Labour Day without something to put in my stomach? It is a holiday for those who have jobs. My living depends on my daily earnings.
Muhamad Ngobi, a taxi driver
Labour Day is for civil servants. How can you celebrate the day when everyone around you is un-employed? I have several dependants with no jobs. So what would I be celebrating? The Government should make the day optional. It does not make sense to celebrate when unemployment is biting and people have nothing to eat. It is one of those things we copy from the Western culture.