A new partnership in shaping the Decent Work agenda in Uganda

In Uganda’s bustling markets, verdant farms, and growing tourism hotspots, a quiet but powerful transformation is underway one that aims to uplift millions of workers who have long laboured without a safety net or voice. A new initiative by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), in partnership with ENABEL, the Belgian agency for international cooperation, is striving to improve on the poor working conditions and limited social protection services in the agriculture, tourism, and hospitality sectors of the Albertine and Rwenzori regions.

© ILO

© ILO

Uganda’s informal economy is massive, employing more than 90% of the working population. Yet only 2.8% of Ugandans are covered by at least one form of social protection with women, especially those working in the informal economy being disproportionately left behind, often juggling unpaid care work, informal jobs, and with no social protection benefits, such as maternity protection, pension, or recourse in case of workplace injuries.

While the National Social Security Fund, through the Legal amendment (2022), allows informal economy workers to join voluntary contributory savings schemes, the uptake of it remains low and requires more efforts in raising awareness on benefits and to facilitate enrolment of such schemes.

The new two-year initiative comes in to address these structural challenges which are hindering the attainment of decent work and the fulfilment of life on working men and women. The initiative focuses on building and supporting decent work opportunities and extension of social protection coverage to those underprivileged workers in the informal economy – through addressing the fundamental principles and rights at work, and extension of social security coverage, including promoting social dialogue from the gender perspective to advance women’s rights at work. The support will also promote policy dialogue to develop a position paper on labour productivity in Uganda.

“The ILO brings along its technical expertise in the field of social protection and labour rights, necessary to deliver the initiative” stated Caroline Mugalla.

27th May 2025 marked a significant day in which the ILO together with ENABEL, entered into a new cooperation agreement to promote social protection coverage and decent work in the Albertine and Rwenzori Regions. Besides Morocco and Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda becomes the third country in Africa to collaborate under this partnership, in advancing issues of decent work. The signing was held at the ENABEL offices in Kampala, - officiated by Mr. Tom Vanneste the Country Representative of ENABEL Uganda, together with Ms. Caroline Mugalla the ILO Country Director, where both exchanged moments of gratitude, assurance and commitment.

“We’re not just funding activities—we’re shaping a long-term shift by uniting our field presence with ILO’s technical leadership,” noted Tom Vanneste, ENABEL Country Director.