Unemployment remains a significant policy challenge in Uganda, particularly among the youth, despite the country’s positive economic growth.
This ongoing issue was at the forefront during the launch of the Employer of the Year Awards (EYA) Survey at a CEO breakfast meeting organized by the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) in Kampala.
The EYA Survey aims to recognize and reward employers excelling in key areas of job creation, such as overcoming barriers to job growth and implementing strategies that foster stable employment.
Joyce Nansamba, the EYA Survey consultant, announced that the 2024/2025 survey will be conducted under the theme: “Investing in Uganda’s Future: Employers Fostering Job Creation to Curb High Levels of Unemployment.” The survey will evaluate several critical dimensions, including:
Fostering job creation
Employee health and wellness
Talent management
Diversity and inclusion
The survey will comprise two components:
A questionnaire to be completed by both managerial and non-managerial staff, available online or in paper format.
An in-depth verification interview with the HR team and a review of supporting documents.
To win the overall award, companies must demonstrate consistent excellence across all areas of the survey, along with other business and HR-related practices.
During the breakfast event, it was revealed that over 3,000 labor disputes are registered annually at the Industrial Court, many stemming from employer-employee disagreements. Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha, Head Judge at the Industrial Court, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the importance of employers adhering to proper disciplinary procedures to reduce conflicts in the workplace.
Judge Tumusiime outlined key legal standards for employers to follow:
Serving notices for disciplinary hearings
Recording sessions and writing detailed minutes
Presenting objective reports
She also advised that disciplinary committees should include impartial members to ensure fairness, noting that a fair hearing before suspension or termination can often prevent cases from escalating to court.
The event also featured the launch of the Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Report, developed in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO). The report recommends several key actions for employers, including:
Conducting ESG training sessions for staff
Sharing relevant ESG information
Leveraging FUE’s policy engagements to enhance effective ESG practices at workplaces
The FUE CEO breakfast meeting, themed “Achieving Fairness and Justice in a Workplace Disciplinary Hearing,” took place on November 22, 2024, at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel.
This event underscores the Federation of Uganda Employers’ commitment to improving workplace standards, fostering job creation, and promoting fairness and justice in employer-employee relations.
Through initiatives like the EYA Survey and the launch of the ESG report, the FUE continues to champion the creation of a more equitable and prosperous labor market in Uganda.