By Our Reporter.
Female Workers Member of Parliament Hon Agnes Kunihira Abwooli, “ Omu Bwati” on December 19, 2022 launched a historic Workers Centre of Excellence at Kigowa, Nakawa West in Kampala, is taking shape.
“It will serve as Workers House”, a resource centre for training, advocacy, entrepreneurship, projects planning Organising and recruitment, recreational centre that will provide space for unions.
Trade union leaders and workers representing National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) and Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU), Federation of Employers Members of Parliament will greatly Hon Kunihira told the Workers Eye that the project that is part and parcel of the items enshrined in her election campaign manifesto for 2021 – 2026 term , has taken shape and should be ready for use in the next two month. The legislator said when she was campaigning during the 2016 elections she promised labour unions brand new desktop computers with latest printers and she delivered the items in record time.
“. I promised women leaders skills training on various initiatives under promises, moreover in record time” she said. Hon Kunihira who is documented by the latest Africa Leadership Institute report as one of the best legislators in the 10th Parliament, said the Labour centre is just a tip of the iceberg of what is in the offing.
LABOUR
The Workers MP serving her second term, said the main objective of the centre is to empower women, and young workers through entrepreneurship projects, facilitate organizing and recruitment activities , provide capacity building and training with a fully – fledged information and research centre..
.For the first time in the history of the labour fraternity in the country labour unions will have a chance to secure office space to conduct day – to – day operations.
The Acting NOTU Secretary General Mr Richard Bigirwa told the Workers Eye that Hon Kunihira has delivered as promised in her election campaign manifesto.
He called on other Workers MPS to join Hon Kunihira in walking the talk in all her development programs.
“As a Labour centre and workers we should work together as a unit in programs greared towards capacity building, empowerment of leaders, recruitment, defending and promoting workers’ rights. ,” he said.
Mr Bigirwa noted that the days when affiliates were fighting each other over administrative supremacy, have ended and its now time for real work.
but added that they have since resolved to stop all fights and dialogue on the federation’s future.
Agnes Kunihira is serving her second term in Parliament after getting elected in 2016 and in less than two terms in Parliament, she has delivered far beyond expectations.
The achievements since entering parliament among the many include the Employment Amendment Bill, 2019 that she presented as a Private Members’ bill, spearheaded process of amending labour Disputes (Arbitration and Settlement Amendment Bill, 2019. She promoted the Anti – Slavery Bill, 2018, advocated and worked with colleagues on the NSSF Amendment Bill 2019, capacity building for Labour unions, empowering trade union leaders, Women entrepreneurship projects, sensitization and training of leaders, empowering women■