Uganda to commemorate international world day for safety and health at work

26 April 2025, 6:34 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

In 2003, the International Labour Organization held the first celebration with the aim of promoting the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases globally. Since then, it has been celebrated by United Nations member states, of which Uganda is a member. It is against this background that, in 2004, the government of Uganda deemed it wise to join other countries in ensuring that this goal is achieved.

The Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon. Betty Amongi, assured the country that the government is doing everything it can to ensure the safety and health of workers are improved. “Commemorated since 2004, this serves as a vital reminder of our collective responsibility to ensure that every worker is safe, healthy, and their well-being protected in the workplace. Employers must establish safe and organised work environments and provide training on occupational safety and health,” she said.

According to the minister, ensuring safety and health in the workplace requires employers to prioritise risks and identify potential hazards. “Employers are required to develop and implement safe work procedures for all tasks and activities, provide and maintain safe equipment, and ensure the safe handling and transport of hazardous materials. Employers should also provide necessary safety equipment, such as personal protective equipment (PPE), for all employees who may be exposed to hazards and ensure that PPE is properly maintained and stored, along with providing adequate lighting, ventilation, and temperature control,” Amongi said.

The Minister further clarified that employers must establish a system for reporting all workplace incidents, thoroughly investigate incidents to identify root causes, and set up open communication channels for employees to raise safety concerns. Employers should encourage feedback and suggestions, regularly review safety performance, and identify areas for improvement.

The theme for this year’s celebrations, which will be held on 28th April 2025 at Namanve Industrial Park, is ‘Revolutionising Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalisation at Work.’ Amongi stated that the theme resonates deeply with the current landscape of the world of work.

“As we navigate through an era marked by rapid technological advancements, it is essential to pause and reflect on how digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are reshaping the world of work. These technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for efficiency,” she said.

The ministry is committed to continuously supporting workers in every way possible. Regarding freelance journalists and other workers who miss out on life insurance systems provided by the companies they work for, the minister said they are working to ensure that every worker is safe and healthy at work. She urged Ugandans to support the ministry’s efforts.