By Isaac Akugizibwe,
KAMPALA
The ministry of gender, labour and social development in partnership with Enabel, a Belgian development agency, on Tuesday launched the advancing respect for human rights project as they seek to end Human rights violations by businesses in Uganda.
Speaking during the launch of the “Advancing respect for Human Rights Project,’ at Four points by Sheraton hotel in Kampala, Benedict Gidudu Mafabi, the State minister for gender labour and social development in charge of the elderly acknowledged the presence of acute human rights violations by businesses in Uganda.
“These negative occurrences include; use of child labour, especially in farming and mining sectors. There is Violation of rights of workers, discrimination against women and other vulnerable groups in the business sector.” Mr. Mafabi said.
He said that Government is committed to ensuring safe work for all and that it is working hard to address the prevailing human rights status quo in the business sector as well as other work places.
“In 2021, we committed on embarking on the business and human rights agenda by adopting the National Action plan on business and human rights (NAP) whose objectives we are now implementing,” he said.
“This is being implemented by my ministry, and many other organisations , both state and non state actors,” he added.
The Advancing respect for Human Rights by Businesses project began in 2023 and is set to end in 2026. It covers three regions, namely Kampala Metropolitan where the national launch was held, Busoga and the Albertine region.
“We have conducted this launch in different regions, and the complaints were overwhelming highlighting the need for these issues to be addressed,” Benard Mujuni, the commissioner for equity and rights at the ministry of gender labour and social development confirmed during the project launch on Wednesday.
The Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda (ARBHR) project is being funded by the European union whose representative at the Launch,Laurianne Comard said they are “optimistic about €5M Business & Human Rights project!”
“As part of our flagship program supporting sustainable business growth, it’s timely for Uganda as the EU works toward due diligence regulations ensuring businesses uphold human rights,” Laurianne Comard added.
Uganda Human Rights Commission chairperson,Mariam Fauzat Wangadya pledged to support the project through uniting businesses to improve human rights standards.
“With this project, we will unite businesses, communities & CSOs to strengthen accountability and raise human rights standards,” Ms.Wangadya said.
Through the Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses Project, 50 business entities will be supported in developing and implementing self-assessment and improvement plans promoting human rights protection throughout their operations.
