BY OUR REPORTER
The National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) has castigated the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (GLSD) for failure to enforce labour laws in the country.
Workers’ federation also accuses the ministry for poor management of the Industrial Court, lack of respect for social partners and delayed ratification of key International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
NOTU Secretary General Richard Bigirwa told a stakeholders’ consultative workshop on the review and development of employment and labour relations legislation on October 8, 2026 at Entebbe’s Admas Hotel.
He said the labour fraternity is vehemently opposed to plans to transfer the Industrial Court from the GLSD Ministry where it rightly belongs to the Judiciary.
Mr Bigirwa decried the cases backlog at the Industrial Court, with over 5,000 cases pending, yet court has not been operational for the last four months without any justification hence denying workers access to labour justice.
.”We have over 5,000 cases pending yet court has not been-operational for four months without any justifiable explanation hence deny workers access to justice,” he said.
The federation also objects to plans to remove panellists from the Industrial Court, saying all industrial courts globally operate under a tripartite system that includes workers and employers’ representatives.
Mr Bigirwa noted the enforcement gap by labour inspectors, questioning how investors are allowed to deny government inspectors access to workplaces in their bid to enforce the law.
But on the issue of lack of respect for social partners, Mr Bigirwa said rebuked GLSD Ministry, adding that the tripartite principle as per international labour standards must always be upheld.
“Social partners must work together in harmony. Government and workers must always respect each other and employers have to respect workers. If that relationship is eroded, labour productivity will face serious challenges,” he warned.
Mr Bigirwa also appealed to government to expedite ratification of ILO Conventions C189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, C187 on Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, and C193 as per draft on Violence and Harassment.
He said:” I salute Ugandan workers for their resilience and contribution to national development as the country marks 64 years of independence,”
In response, the Commissioner for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department in the Gender, Labour and Social Development Ministry, Ms Eva Katusabe, commended participants for their contributions, adding the views will help close gaps in the law.
She assured NOTU that all concerns raised would be forwarded to the technical team to find solutions, adding that the Ministry is committed in ensuring a balance of interests for both employers and workers.
ends
