By Hon Charles Bakkabulindi.
Workers representation in the Ugandan parliament which has five slots including one female legislator, is increasing facing threats of extinction .
This follows latest developments where a Member of Parliament asked for leave to table a Private Members bill that seeks to reduce the size of Ugandan Parliament.
The Ugandan parliament has six Special Interest groups represented that includes Women, Youth, Uganda Peoples Defence Forces (UPDF), People With Disabilities, the Elderly and Workers.
Considering the composition, national outlook and grassroots structures of all the Special Interest groups, its only Workers representation in parliament which is seen as being shaky and has less blessings from government.
Workers Member of Parliament Hon Charles Bakkabulindi the “Bridge” told the Workers Eye in an exclusive interview that the five slots for workers in the House are increasingly coming under threat.
He said trade union leaders should abandon fighting among unions and federations and start planning on how to tackle the monster that is about to emerge on the scene and gnaw unions.
“ Labour unions should abandon fights and start planning on how to tackle the monster that is about to emerge on the scene and gnaw unions,” he said.
The former Sports State Minister said the first step of putting workers representation and trade union leaders in a precarious position was when non – unionized workers emerged in the electoral law.
During the 2016 elections for workers Parliament hurriedly enacted electoral laws that brought 10 delegates per region which made up a total of 40 delegates . But after fielding many candidates under non – unionized ticket in the 2021 workers elections, non – unionized workers want the number of their delegates increased.
They are also demanding to be represented on various statutory boards like unionized workers.
What has complicated matters is the drive to promote the amorphous informal sector workers many of whom are non – unionized that President Yoweri Museveni wants engaged under Parish Development model.
Hon Bakkabulindi said the manner in which government treats trade union leaders during May 1,st International Labour Day is manifestation of the negative attitude on organized labour.
“Government has slowly but constantly been resenting trade unions which puts workers representation into jeopardy,” he said.
The senior trade unionist said workers should start planning on a way of getting non – unionized removed from the laws before 2026 elections.
He said: “ If workers representation in parliament survives in 2026 then trade union leaders should work tirelessly to erase non –unionized from the law.”
Non – unionized workers have been growing over time and could becoming a force to reckon in the labour fraternity. They are campaigning that majority of self – employed workers in the informal sector should be recognized with representation in parliament .
During the 2021 Workers elections a freelance journalist Mr Sam Amanyire caused a storm when he missed narrowly entering the House on a Non – unionized ticket.
“ We expect turbulent waters as we move towards 2026. Most politicians who fail in the constituencies might opt for Workers election because they see the electoral college as smaller and non – expensive to campaign,” he said ■
