Civil Society Organizations Decry Human Rights Violations in Uganda’s Investment Sector

“Life Before Profits”: Advocates Demand Justice for Women Workers

Kampala, Uganda — As Uganda joins the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day, civil society organizations (CSOs) have raised alarm over escalating human rights violations, particularly against women, in the country’s commercial investment sectors.

In a joint statement, advocacy groups working on trade, labor rights, and gender equality highlighted systemic abuses in factories, plantations, and other foreign direct investment (FDI) ventures. Despite Uganda’s record FDI inflows—reaching $1.3 billion in 2019—workers, especially women, face severe exploitation with little legal recourse.

Profit Over People: A Broken System

Uganda is a signatory to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, which mandate the protection of citizens’ rights in all economic activities. However, CSOs argue that investment laws prioritize corporate interests over welfare.

A recent report by the Southern and Eastern Africa Trade Information and Negotiations Institute (SEATINI Uganda) and Urgent Action Fund exposes harrowing conditions in sectors like oil, mining, flowers, and agribusiness. Findings include:

• Land grabbing and forced displacement
• Extreme workloads, with women carrying up to 1,200 kg daily
• No maternity or annual leave
• Exposure to toxic chemicals without protective gear
• Substandard housing, with multiple families crammed into single rooms

“These violations occur in highly profitable industries—sugar, palm oil, tea, textiles—where demand is high, but workers’ dignity is disregarded,” the report states.

Legal Gaps Fuel Exploitation

Critics point to Uganda’s weak regulatory framework. The Investment Code Act (2019) lacks provisions for human rights impact assessments, while the Occupational Safety and Health Act (2006) allows employers to shift the burden of protective gear onto workers.

Additionally, Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs)—six of which are active—focus on shielding investors rather than safeguarding citizens. In 2020, the Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT) and SEATINI Uganda sued the government for failing to protect female workers. Shockingly, the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) admitted in court that investment laws contain no human rights clauses.

Calls to Action

On International Women’s Day, CSOs—including SEATINI Uganda, CEFROHT, and Both ENDS—urged the government to:

1. Investigate abuses in factories, plantations, and flower farms, ensuring redress for victims.
2. Amend laws (Investment Code Act, Employment Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act) to uphold dignity and livelihoods.
3. Review or terminate BITs that neglect citizens’ rights.
4. Mandate protective gear for all workers, including casual laborers, to prevent injuries and COVID-19 exposure.

“Investment should drive economic transformation, not exploitation,” the groups emphasized. “We demand accountability—because women’s lives matter more than profits.”

As Uganda celebrates its economic growth, advocates insist: true development cannot come at the cost of human suffering.