By Isaac Akugizibwe
KAMPALA
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting and protecting human rights in workplaces across the country, calling on Ugandans to report any abuses they face while on the job.
Speaking at a handover ceremony on Friday, July 11, at Enabel Offices in Kampala, Bernard Mujuni, commissioner at the ministry, urged workers to petition the ministry of Gender and Social Development if their rights are violated.
“Uganda is largely an informal economy and we know some Ugandans have challenges with working contracts, and I want to call upon whoever has these issues to always petition,” Mujuni said.
“Come to us in case you don’t have a contract, in case you are not paid, among other human rights abuses. Our offices are always open at all levels.”
The ministry, in partnership with Enabel, handed over equipment to local governments under the “Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda (ARBHR)” Project. Beneficiaries include districts in the Albertine, Busoga, and Greater Kampala regions.
District officials, led by Chief Administrative Officers from the project-implementing areas, received the equipment—which included motorcycles and computers—and were trained on how to use them, along with standard operating instructions.
Rose Atieno Kato, project manager and Country Strategy Advisor at Enabel Uganda, said the equipment will support field inspections, community engagement, documentation of rights violations, and data collection at the local level.
“The equipment is meant to support local government Business and Human Rights focal points. This project reinforces Uganda’s commitment to sustainable development and social justice, marking a key milestone in operationalising Uganda’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR) at the district level,” she said.
“Key regions, including Busoga, Albertine, and Kampala Metropolitan, will benefit from the provision of modern equipment to enhance the effectiveness of the district Community-Based Services Departments,” she added.
Mujuni also expressed optimism that the equipment would help authorities reach remote areas and monitor business practices, especially in locations with hard-to-reach factories.
“These consignments are a big asset to the local governments and will help authorities to reach communities, especially those where the factories are in hard-to-reach places,” he said.
About the Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses Project
Launched in November 2024 with funding from the European Union, the “Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses in Uganda (ARBHR)” Project aims to reduce human rights abuses tied to business operations—especially those affecting women and children.
The initiative builds on Uganda’s 2021 National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAPBHR), aligning with both national goals like Vision 2040 and global frameworks such as the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Focusing on labour rights, natural resource and land governance, digital rights, and internet governance, the €4.98 million project works to build human rights awareness and capacity across government agencies, civil society organizations, and businesses. The program is being implemented in the Greater Kampala, Albertine, and Busoga regions and aims to reach over one million Ugandans.
