As Uganda marks International Labour Day under the theme “Occupational Health and Safety: A Fundamental Right at Work,” the spotlight turns to Tororo, home to some of the country’s largest cement factories.
While these factories have been hailed as major sources of employment, a closer examination reveals a growing disconnect between official safety policies and the daily experiences of workers.
In particular, Simba Cement, commissioned in 2018, stands out for its scale, employing over 2,000 people both directly and indirectly.
Management at the factory maintains that safety is a priority, citing investments in modern dust management systems and provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for employees.
“We have invested heavily in modern technology to manage dust and provide PPEs to all our workers,” said Heet Raval, the Sales Manager at Simba Cement.
“From time to time, we conduct health meetings to remind them about maintaining a safe working environment,” he adds.
However, an on-site visit by Nile Post revealed inconsistencies in these claims. At the cement loading bay, where large volumes of cement are packed for distribution, some workers were found operating without proper protective gear in visibly dusty conditions.
While many declined to speak on camera, several voiced concerns over long-term health risks and inadequate enforcement of safety measures.
Tororo District Deputy Speaker, Gerome Malonga, echoed these concerns.
“The factory is located in the area I represent,” he said. “I have received numerous complaints from workers about poor working conditions. Some people have been physically broken, others have developed health complications, and no help has come.”
In defense, Simba Cement management pointed fingers at third-party contractors tasked with supplying casual labor in the factory.
“The companies we hire are the ones responsible for providing PPEs,” Raval noted. “When they do, it is up to the individual to ensure they use them properly.”
But district leaders argue that blaming workers and subcontractors misses the point. “Even our labor officer is not honest,” Malonga alleged. “In most cases, he sides with factory management instead of defending workers’ rights.”
Efforts to get a comment from the district labour officer were unsuccessful, as he was unavailable at the time of inquiry.
And in what appears to be a response to growing criticism, Simba Cement has recently begun enforcing penalties against contractors who fail to meet safety standards.
“If contractors don’t provide protective gear, we deduct their payment because we pay them for that,” Raval stated. “We don’t compromise on safety.”
As the country reflects on the rights and welfare of workers this Labour Day, the situation in Tororo’s cement industries underscores the urgent need to bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring that safety becomes more than a slogan and is truly upheld as a right.