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Fair Digital Kazi: How Uganda’s digital economy can ensure workers’ rights

3 June 2025, 7:28 pm

A group photo of stakeholders during the breakfast meeting.

By Laila Ndagire

As Uganda’s digital labour platforms continue to expand since 2015. Research conducted by International Labour Organisation (ILO) and Makerere University in 2024 reveals that approximately 18 platforms, both international and local operate in the country. Urban centres dominate in taxi and delivery platforms such as Uber, Bolt, and Safe Boda. However, the penetration of online freelance work remains limited, hindered by persistent digital divides.

On Friday, 30th May, Pollicy and Voices for Labour hosted a breakfast dialogue at Four Points by Sheraton in Kampala under the theme: Reimagining Decent work in Uganda’s Digital Economy. The event was attended by key stakeholders like Trade Union Leaders and Representatives, Workers Members of Parliament, Civil Society, Legal Advocacy Organisations, Representatives from Ministry of Gender Labour and Social Development and Platform Workers.

Bonnita Nyamwire, Director Research at Pollicy, while presenting the Fair Digital Kazi Manifesto and Fair Digital Kazi Policy Brief on the rights and recognition of platform workers in Africa noted that the Fair Digital Kazi Manifesto is as a result of a research from the Fair Work Project carried out in 2023, that assessed ride hailing and delivery platforms and established the challenges platform workers face including misclassification of employment status, high platform commission fees and operational costs, long and demanding working hours and gendered burdens and care responsibilities. Bonnita noted that that there are few women doing digital labour platform work and this is because they face more challenges compared to men.

Bonnita Nyamwire highlights challenges women in the digital labour workforce face.

Mayanja Hope, Uber driver highlights the challenges they face as independent contractors.

Mayanja Hope highlights the challenges Uber face.

Bonnita added that the project aims at raising awareness among platform workers and other stakeholders about the labour rights for platform workers including representatives going to attend the 113th Session of the International Labour Conference in Geneva.

Bonnita Nyamwire explains the needs and rights of platform workers.

State Minister for Primary Health Care, Hon. Margaret Muhanga, one of the delegates representing Uganda at the ILC in Geneva appreciated the initiative and the need to make amendments in the labour laws. She also showed concern of having a National Health insurance scheme to help platform workers in case of an accident.

Hon. Margaret Muhanga elaborates the need for National Insurance Scheme.

Bonnita emphasised the need to have the digital labour platform economy regulated by the government and called upon the different stakeholders to support the initiative of improving the terms and conditions of platform workers in Uganda’s digital economy.

Bonnita Nyamwire urges government regulate the digital labour platform economy.

With Uganda’s digital platform economy expanding, this manifesto is setting a precedent for labour rights across Africa.