Hon. Fiona Nakku Hosts Trade Union Leaders, Calls for Stronger Protection of Workers’ Rights

KAMPALA — Female Workers Member of Parliament Hon. Fiona Nakku has hosted senior trade union leaders and workers’ representatives at a conference held at Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala, where participants discussed the importance of ethical leadership, workers’ welfare and the protection of labour rights in Uganda.

The conference brought together leaders from the two major trade union centres in Uganda — the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) and the Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU) — in a gathering aimed at strengthening cooperation between workers’ representatives and political leaders.

NOTU Chairman General Bro. Musa Okello and COFTU Chairman General Bro. John Oketcho led the respective trade union delegations at the meeting, which provided a platform for workers’ leaders to deliberate on issues affecting employees and the wider labour movement.

Delivering the keynote address, Bishop Joshua Lwere urged workers and their leaders to embrace moral leadership and integrity in their workplaces.

Bishop Lwere emphasised that leadership should be anchored in ethical conduct, accountability and a strong sense of responsibility, noting that the values demonstrated by leaders can influence the working environment and the welfare of employees.

He encouraged trade union leaders to remain committed to serving workers while upholding integrity in their engagements with employers, government and other stakeholders.

The Chief Guest of Honour, National Resistance Movement (NRM) Deputy Secretary General Hon. Rose Namayanja, called for value-based leadership in the service of Ugandans.

Namayanja said effective leadership should go beyond positions and focus on delivering meaningful transformation to communities and the country at large.

She further called for national transformation that prioritises workers’ welfare and the protection of labour rights, stressing the importance of ensuring that workers remain central to Uganda’s development agenda.

According to Namayanja, a productive workforce is critical to national development and therefore requires an environment in which workers’ rights, dignity and welfare are respected.

Hon. Arinaitwe Rwakajara also challenged leaders to put the interests of workers at the centre of their leadership responsibilities.

Rwakajara urged workers’ representatives to go beyond expectations in advocating for their constituencies, saying leaders have a responsibility to ensure that the concerns and aspirations of workers receive adequate attention.

He emphasised the need for leaders to remain responsive to the challenges facing workers and to use their positions to advance the interests of the people they represent.

For her part, Hon. Fiona Nakku said the conference was part of her commitment to advancing the interests of Ugandan workers.

Nakku said she is implementing her 2026–2031 Election Manifesto, with workers’ rights among the key priorities of her programme as Female Workers Member of Parliament.

She said strengthening workers’ rights requires continued engagement with trade unions and other stakeholders in the labour sector so that challenges affecting workers can be identified and addressed.

The MP's engagement with the trade union leadership comes at a time when issues such as workers’ welfare, fair treatment, decent working conditions and effective representation remain important components of Uganda’s socio-economic development.

The meeting also underscored the importance of collaboration between political leaders and organised labour in shaping policies and interventions that respond to the needs of Uganda’s workforce.

With representatives from NOTU and COFTU participating, the conference provided an opportunity for workers’ leaders to reaffirm the importance of unity, ethical leadership and sustained advocacy for labour rights.

Nakku’s commitment to her 2026–2031 manifesto is expected to keep workers’ concerns high on her parliamentary agenda as she continues engaging trade unions and other stakeholders on measures aimed at improving the welfare and rights of workers across Uganda.

The conference ultimately highlighted a shared message among the participants: that Uganda’s transformation must be people-centred, with workers’ welfare, ethical leadership and respect for labour rights forming an important part of the country’s development journey.