By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
The National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) castigated the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development over poor enforcement of labour laws, poor management of the Industrial Court, lack of respect for social partners and delayed ratification of key International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions.
The criticisms were raised by NOTU Secretary General, Richard Bigirwa during a stakeholders consultative meeting on the review and development of employment and labour relations legislation held in Entebbe on October 8,2026.
Bigirwa said the union fraternity strongly opposes government plans to transfer the Industrial Court from the Ministry of Gender to the Judiciary.
He expressed dismay on overwhelming case backlog at the Industrial Court, with over 5,000 cases pending, revealing that the court has not been operational for the last four months without any justification, something he claims has denied workers access to labour justice.
“We have over 5,000 cases pending, the court has not been operational for the four months till now without any clear explanation. Workers have been denied their right to access justice,” Bigirwa expressed concern.
He also objected to plans to purge panelists from the Industrial Court, arguing that all industrial courts globally operate under a tripartite system that includes; panelists representing workers and employers.
Bigirwa further highlighted the enforcement gap by labour inspectors, questioning how investors are allowed to deny government inspectors access to workplaces to enforce the law.
Concerning lack of respect for social partners, Bigirwa said the tripartite principle as per international labour standards must be upheld.
“Social partners must work together in harmony. Government must respect workers, workers have to respect government and employers have to respect workers. If that relationship is eroded, labour productivity will face serious challenges,” he warned.
He also urged government to expedite ratification of ILO Conventions C189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers, C187 on Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health, and C193 as per draft on Violence and Harassment.
In response, the Commissioner for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Department at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Eva Katusabe, acknowledged government’s weakness in enforcing Laws and managing Industrial Courts and pledged to help in closing the existing gaps in the Law.
She further assured NOTU that all concerns raised shall be forwarded to the technical team to find solutions, adding that the Ministry is committed to ensuring a balance of interests for both employers and workers.
