By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Uganda is stepping up enforcement of workplace safety standards following the passage of a new law aimed at protecting workers from hazardous conditions across all sectors, including the growing remote workforce.
Eva Katushabe, Commissioner for Occupational Safety at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), said many workers continue to put their lives at risk due to desperation and lack of awareness of their rights.
“Many of them are, of course, unaware of their rights. They just work because they want a salary. Others know their rights but are too desperate to demand them. The law says if you see danger, remove yourself from that danger. But because they don’t want to lose their jobs, they continue to endanger themselves,” Katushabe told journalists at a briefing ahead of the International Vision Zero Conference, set for 27–29 August at Speke Resort Munyonyo.
She warned that Ugandan workers are increasingly exposed to chemical, noise and other hazards, with some suffering gradual hearing loss. She stressed that employers are required to conduct annual medical checks on workers to detect deteriorating health early, as well as safety audits of workplaces.
In February 2025, Parliament passed the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which President Museveni signed into law in April. The law expands coverage to non-traditional workplaces, including home-based and virtual work. It also empowers government to prosecute employers who fail to comply with safety standards.
“We’ve not been prosecuting because we didn’t have lawyers in the department. But now with the amendment, we can forward files directly to the Director of Public Prosecutions for action,” Katushabe said.
Under the revised framework, accredited safety practitioners will conduct workplace audits, with government inspections triggered by their reports.
State Minister for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Esther Davinia Anyakun, said the reforms reflect government’s commitment to ensuring decent work for all Ugandans.
“A safe and healthy workforce is a prerequisite for achieving national goals,” Anyakun said. “Accepting to host this conference is a demonstration of our commitment to continuously improving occupational safety and health standards.”
The upcoming Vision Zero Conference, expected to draw participants from across Africa, will promote strategies to eliminate workplace accidents and diseases. According to Anyakun, the event is not merely a gathering, but “a catalyst for meaningful change in workplace safety and health across the continent.”
