Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa has urged government and labour stakeholders to urgently scale up job creation and strengthen protections for Ugandan workers both at home and abroad.
Speaking at the 4th National Labour Convention and Expo 2026 at Serena Hotel in Kampala, Tayebwa said Uganda’s youthful population should be central to national development planning.
“Uganda’s greatest strength is its people, especially our youth. With over 73% of our population being young, the future of our country depends on how well we invest in their potential today,” he said.
Tayebwa called for expanded employment opportunities through agriculture, manufacturing and the digital economy, alongside increased investment in skills development, entrepreneurship and innovation.
He emphasized the need for inclusive growth, saying women, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups must be fully integrated into the labour market.
“This must go hand in hand with inclusion. We need to ensure that women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups are fully supported to participate in the labour market,” he said.
The Deputy Speaker also urged stakeholders to move beyond discussions and focus on measurable outcomes that directly improve livelihoods.
“To achieve meaningful impact, I urged stakeholders to move beyond discussion and deliver real, measurable results that improve the lives of our young people,” he said.
On labour migration, Tayebwa called for stronger protections for Ugandans working abroad, including fair wage negotiations and improved safeguards to ensure workers are treated with dignity.
He said better regulation and accountability mechanisms are needed to ensure migrant workers benefit fully from opportunities outside the country.
