Makerere Don Urges Stronger Laws and Funding to Protect Ugandan Workers

A legal expert from Makerere University has urged the Ugandan government to enact stronger laws and secure adequate funding to protect workers and communities from corporate exploitation. Speaking at a national forum on business and human rights, Mr. Christopher Mbazira highlighted persistent regulatory gaps, weak enforcement mechanisms, and insufficient financing for responsible business initiatives across the country.

While acknowledging that Uganda possesses laws addressing employment and environmental protection, Mr. Mbazira pointed out critical shortcomings concerning minimum wages, supply chain governance, and mandatory social impact assessments. He also emphasized that workplace harassment against women remains a major concern requiring stricter enforcement and comprehensive legal frameworks.

The high-level forum brought together government officials, civil society groups, development partners, and private sector representatives to review Uganda’s progress under its initial National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Discussions heavily focused on balancing rapid industrialization and upcoming oil and gas sector developments with the fundamental rights and well-being of citizens.

Representing the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Commissioner Bernard Mujuni stressed that the exploitation of natural resources must translate into genuine benefits for the population. He called for robust institutional accountability and accessible reporting channels that allow vulnerable workers and local communities to flag issues like sexual harassment, corruption, and environmental degradation.

Experts at the meeting underscored that policies alone are insufficient without strong implementation capacity. Mr. Mbazira identified multiple obstacles, including poor coordination, limited public participation, and a lack of reliable data systems for tracking violations. Meanwhile, Enabel Country Director Nicolas Oebel emphasized that sustainable change relies on private sector ownership, noting that businesses must proactively embrace ethical practices rather than relying solely on government and donor mandates.

Read more about this story at the Daily Monitor.