The government has warned companies that fail to protect the health and safety of their workers that they risk closure if they do not comply with labour standards.
Speaking to journalists at the Media Centre in Kampala, the Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, Esther Davinia Anyakun, said government will intensify inspections across districts to ensure employers provide safe and healthy working conditions.
Anyakun explained that labour officers, working alongside district authorities, will identify companies that neglect occupational safety and health requirements, warning that those found in violation could face strict penalties, including closure.
“Companies that fail to comply with occupational safety and health standards risk being closed. We are strengthening inspections to ensure every worker operates in a safe and healthy environment,” Anyakun said.
Her remarks come as Uganda prepares to join the rest of the world to commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28, 2026.
This year’s commemoration will be held under the theme: “Building Psychosocial Resilience: Sustaining Uganda’s Occupational Safety and Health Gains through Mental Wellbeing and Organizational Strengthening.”
The minister noted that while progress has been made in strengthening occupational safety systems, employers must also prioritise workers’ mental wellbeing to sustain these gains.
She said modern workplaces are increasingly facing challenges such as heavy workloads, job insecurity, long working hours, and workplace harassment—factors that can lead to stress, anxiety, and reduced productivity if not addressed.
“A healthy workforce is the backbone of national development. Psychosocial resilience is not only about individual coping mechanisms, but also about creating supportive organisational environments where workers feel valued, protected and empowered,” Anyakun said.
As part of activities to mark the day, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development has organised several events, including a national Occupational Safety and Health symposium at Nakawa Innovation Hub, a sanitation drive at Njeru Nile Market on April 24, and an Occupational Safety and Health run on April 26.
The main national commemoration will take place on April 28 at St. Noah Mawagali Secondary School.
Officials say the activities are aimed at raising awareness about workplace safety while strengthening systems that protect both the physical and mental wellbeing of workers across the country.
