law 13 May 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
New Ugandan Law Elevates Domestic Workers to Officially Recognized Employees
Uganda's new Employment (Amendment) Act, 2025, officially recognizes domestic workers as employees, granting them rights previously reserved for other sectors, including sick leave and annual leave. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/magazines/homes-and-property/what-the-new-law-means-for-domestic-workers-and-employers--5457414
For the first time in Uganda’s history, domestic workers such as nannies and house girls are now formally recognized as employees under the law. The Employment (Amendment) Act, 2025, signed by President Yoweri Museveni, extends the same legal protections enjoyed by bank tellers and factory workers to those employed in private homes.
Key changes introduced by the act include the right to sick leave, meaning homeowners can no longer dismiss a domestic worker due to illness. Mandatory paid annual leave is also now a legal entitlement. Furthermore, any casual worker employed in a home for over six months must be provided with a formal, written contract signed by both parties.
Legal experts emphasize that this legislation aims to create a more structured and accountable employment system, protecting both workers from exploitation and employers by establishing clear expectations regarding duties, pay, and leave. A written contract can prevent misunderstandings and provide a documented process for addressing disputes or disciplinary actions.
However, some employers express concerns about the increased costs associated with these new entitlements, with some stating they may resort to relying on relatives or informal arrangements. This highlights a potential tension where increased standards could inadvertently lead to job losses if households cannot afford to comply.
A significant omission in the new law is the absence of an updated minimum wage, which remains at a 1984 figure. This means that while domestic workers can now demand formal contracts, the wages stipulated within them could still be exceptionally low.
For employers wishing to comply, creating a simple domestic work contract does not require a lawyer. A basic agreement can be drafted on paper, including the names of both parties, the start date, salary and payment schedule, a list of duties, details of leave entitlements (sick and annual), and the notice period for termination.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)