FUE January 2025 E-Newsletter – The Voice of Employers

ISSUE 72 | JANUARY 2025

AN OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FEDERATION OF UGANDA EMPLOYERS

FUENEWS

THE VOICE OF EMPLOYERS

FUE CEO MESSAGE

Dear Esteemed Member,

Welcome to 2025, a year of new opportunities and endless possibilities to advance the Employers’ fraternity.
According to Gartner, the 2025 work trends will redefine how organisations operate amid rapid technological advancements and shifting workforce dynamics. These trends emphasise the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the importance of employee well-being and the need for diversity and inclusion. Employers are encouraged to embrace these trends to enhance productivity, foster innovation, build resilient and inclusive cultures that thrive in a competitive labour market.

As we embark on this new chapter, we are thrilled to partner with relevant stakeholders to advance youth employability, innovation, skills development and gender equality. The Work Readiness for Inclusive and Sustainable Enterprise (WRISE) Project being implemented in partnership with Enabel to equip recent graduates with adequate skills and competence to enhance youth employability is on course to improve the quality of the future workforce. Additionally, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GIZ Uganda to promote Gender Diversity Management (GDM) in green sectors of the economy such as agriculture/agro processing, circular economy, blue economy, renewable energy and eco-tourism for socio-economic transformation. We believe these partnerships will create a conducive work environment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

Our annual programs such as the Annual General Meeting, the FUE-CEO Breakfast Meetings, the Annual Women Leadership Conference, the Employer of the Year Awards (EYA) Dinner as well as consultative meetings will be convened to share a detailed accountability of the 2024, support business leaders, amplify best human resource practices and enhance our lobbying and advocacy efforts. The Annual Training Calendar 2025 featuring capacity building sessions tailored to address emerging work trends to boost productivity, enhance business growth and build strong entities has been rolled-out. Furthermore, special courses such as the Female Future Leadership Program, Malkia and Executive Training in Employment Relations (ETER) will be conducted to contribute to the professional development in the world of work.

We look forward to great opportunities to serve Employers at local and international level and working with various relevant stakeholders to advance economic growth.

Thank you,
Together for Employers.

Douglas Opio

The Chief Executive Officer, FUE

FUE CEO Message
The Tech@work Entrepreneurship Challenge
Understanding Uganda’s Employment Laws and Labour Laws General Sensitisation
FUE Virtual Meeting
FUE-GIZ Sign MOU to Promote GDM in Green Sectors
Call for Proposals
FUE 2025 Training Calendar
FUE Member Engagement
Upcoming Events

THE TECH@WORK ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGE

FUE in partnership with the International Organisation of Employers(IOE), Microsoft and Synapse have been conducting the Tech@Work Entrepreneurship Challenge to recognise and award innovative and transformative entrepreneurial ideas. The finalists’ pitch event was conducted on Thursday 23rd January 2025 from 9am(EAT) at our head office in Kiwanga-Namanve.

During the event, ten finalists had the opportunity to present their ground-breaking ideas to an audience and a team of judges from FUE, IOE and the financial partner. The ideas were evaluated on aspects of innovation, feasibility, social and economic impact, sustainability, skills and commitment of the project leader. The participants were implored to submit proposals that are clear and concise to ensure the audience and jury grasp the potential and impact of the project.

Furthermore, the emerging three winners received cash prizes and were connected to mentors to support them execute their vision.

We are keen on promoting entrepreneurship among young Ugandans enrolled in the Tech@Work program by encouraging them to propose innovative projects that address the country’s current challenges. FUE remains committed to amplifying innovative solutions to boost sustainable development.

UNDERSTANDING UGANDA’S EMPLOYMENT LAWS AND LABOUR LAWS GENERAL SENSITISATION

In a bid to promote Responsible Business Conduct(RBC) at the workplace, we are keen on ensuring Employers uphold labour standards and operate within the confines of the law. We conducted a Virtual General Sensitisation themed, ‘Understanding Uganda’s Employment Act and Labour Laws: Insights into Recent Amendments and Legal Compliance’ on Thursday 23rd January 2025. Participants included Legal Managers, Human Resource Practiotioners and Supervisors.

The training entailed a detailed discourse on the revised labour laws including the Employment Act (cap. 226), the Labour Disputes Arbitration and Settlement Act (cap. 227), the Labour Unions Act (cap. 228), the Minimum Wages Advisory Boards and Wages Council Act (cap. 229), the National Social Security Fund Act (cap. 230), the Occupational Health and Safety Act (cap. 231) and Workers’ Compensation Act (cap. 233). The aspects of the Employment Act that were amended such as powers of the labour office to prosecute, preferential claims of employees’ benefits/wages at winding up of the employer’s business, administrative procedures vs criminal liability and death of employee among others were discussed. In addition, Employers were implored to continuously update workplace policies and procedures as well as look out for best practices and precedents of the industrial court.

Its expedient to note that these amendments are yet to be assented to by the President. We remain committed to ensuring Employers are equipped to uphold labour laws and operate in a conducive business environment.

If you missed the training, click the links below:

Audio Recording

Revised Laws

For a customised training suited to your organisation needs, contact Mr. Yusuf Nsubuga, the Training Manager, yusuf.nsubuga@fuemployers.org.

FUE VIRTUAL MEETING

In 2017, there were 4.85 million migrant workers in the East African Community (EAC) region, which was a 131% increase from 2008. On 16th January, we hosted a virtual validation meeting for, ‘The Role of Employers in Migration Governance Report’. Participants included officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development(MGLSD), Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) and Employers from the business community. The main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the role of employers, government ministries and private recruitment agencies on labour migration governance in Uganda.

During the validation meeting, various recommendations to migration governance such as ratifying the relevant ILO conventions, advocating for the finalization of the National Migration Policy, lobbying for an independent institution to manage labour migration, strengthen capacity to collect migration data and advocate for the expansion of BLAs to include social protection and skills were presented. Employers were tasked to develop a policy on migration, join FUE membership and apply best business practices from other countries.

In addition, good practices from nations including Canada, Germany, Philippines and Ghana were highlighted as benchmarking strategies to be adopted by Uganda to streamline the labour migration.

Its expedient for all stakeholders in the labour migration process to collaborate to develop standard process

If you missed the meeting, kindly click the link for a recap;

Recording Link

Passcode: Kj&t#w6g

FUE-GIZ SIGN MOU TO PROMOTE GDM IN GREEN SECTORS

The Global Gender Gap Index scored Uganda 0.7249 in 2022 up from 0.717 in 2020 with women in Uganda holding 46% of local government positions, 33% of parliamentary seats and 43% of the cabinet positions. FUE, GIZ Uganda, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development(MGLSD) and Private Sector Foundation Uganda(PSFU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote Gender Diversity Management (GDM) in Green Sectors funded by GOPA. The main aim of the project is to promote gender equity in the green sectors.

The program targets four lead Employers promoting GDM in the green sectors such as agriculture/agro-processing, renewable energy, blue economy, eco-tourism and circular economy. FUE and other partners will champion the structured and strategic approach to equity, inclusion and diversity into organisation policies, work operations and culture. GDM will further address systematic barriers that limit women’s participation in male-dominated sectors.

As we look forward to achieving National Vision 2040 to transform Uganda from a peasant to a modern and prosperous country within 30 years, gender diversity as a business imperative is a significant aspect of socio-economic transformation.

VALIDATION OF THE MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE WORK READINESS SKILLING PROGRAMME FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

The National Council for Higher Education (NCHE) in collaboration with Enabel recently organised a workshop for key stakeholders in higher education to validate the operating standards and the curriculum for the Work Readiness Skilling Programme for universities and other higher education institutions in the country.The workshop was held at Fairway Hotel in Kampala and was attended by officials from NCHE Secretariate, Enabel, Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE), Makerere University, Uganda Christian University (UCU), Uganda Martyr’s University (UMU), Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU), Makerere University Business School (MUBS), Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Bishop Stuart University, Busitema University, Cavendish University, Soroti University, Kabale University, Equator University of Science and Technology, Kampala International University (KIU), Kampala University, University of Kisubi, African Renewal University, Livingstone International University, Metropolitan International University, and Avance International University. Other tertiary institutions that were represented include Uganda Petroleum Institute Kigumba (UPIK), Nakawa Vocational Training College, Uganda College of Commerce Kabale, the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services, Makerere Institute of Social Development, Masaka School of Comprehensive Nursing, Kabalega College Misindi, Rukungiri Institute of Management, Institute of Petroleum Studies, Uganda Business Institute Muni, National Teachers’ College (NTC) Mubende, NTC Kabale, NTC Muni, NTC Kaliro, NTC Unyama, St. Matthias Mbuga Agriculture College, among others. Over 70 higher education institutions in the country were represented in this workshop.

The curriculum for Work Readiness Skilling Programme and its Operating Minimum Standards were recently developed by a team of academic experts who were engaged by NCHE with support from Enabel. FUE being a key stakeholder in the world of work was part of the team that developed the Work Readiness Skilling Programme. The Work Readiness Skilling Programme was developed from the one which had been made earlier by the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) in collaboration with Enabel to support the graduates’ transition from classroom learning to employment after graduation from universities or colleges. It was part of the four-year European Union funded project that has been implemented by PSFU from 2021-2024. In order to sustainably impart soft skills especially among the youth in Uganda, Enabel partnered with NCHE to have the Work Readiness Programme integrated into the academic programmes of universities and other higher education institutions.

The programme covers six broad areas namely; Personal Development, Interpersonal Skills, Professionalism, Digital Ethos, Entrepreneurship Mindset, and Basic Employment and Labour Laws – the skills which were found to be lacking among the graduates based on research. It has been designed around nine learning outcomes – the competencies that each graduate should attain before joining the world of work. These include the ability to;

Build teamwork and collaborate in achieving the set goals.
Communicate effectively with both internal and external stakeholders.
Think outside the box by being creative, innovative and taking initiatives.
Identify challenges and find effective and efficient ways of solving them.
Develop a positive work ethic that is a key ingredient in achieving corporate goals.
Use digital skills in a more productive way for the benefit of the organisation.
Develop a better entrepreneurial mind-set that is committed to achieving a set of vision and mission using different strategies.
Be able to start a business of their own if they decide to be self-employed.
Relate well with their supervisors, peers, and clientele at their workplace.

When the inputs from this validation workshop are finally incorporated, the two documents will be presented to the Council at NCHE for approval. Then the Training of Trainers course will be conducted by NCHE before the course is rolled out in all higher education institutions in Uganda.

CALL FOR PROPOSALS

The WRISE Project implemented in partnership with Enabel aims to equip recent graduates with adequate skills and competences to excel in the labour market.

The project is seeking qualified consultants to conduct due diligence assessment for companies for the placement of fresh graduates.

Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial proposals as well as supporting documents to info@fuemployers.org not later than 7th February 2025.

For more information: https://tinyurl.com/TOR-Due-Diligence

FUE 2025 TRAINING CALENDAR

Employers are encouraged to consistently invest in professional development opportunities for their workforce to boost productivity, retain top talent and foster efficient service delivery. The FUE Training Calendar is developed annually to offer capacity building trainings to promote skills development and stay up to date with industry trends. Furthermore, we conduct special courses aimed at building women’s leadership capacity and creating a conducive business environment.

Click the link to view the FUE 2025 Training Calendar

To request customised training suited to your organisation needs, contact Yusuf Nsubuga, the Training Manager, yusuf.nsubuga@fuemployers.org

FUE MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

On 13th January 2025, we conducted a courtesy member visit to Riley Packaging Ltd to engage with the management team as well as share the work, services and benefits of being an esteemed member of the FUE. We believe these membership visits are significant to promote collaborations, strengthen partnerships and ensure Employers fully utilise the benefits stipulated in their membership category.

Every Employer has a designated account manager and is requested to reach out in case of any inquiries.

Remember, ‘Every Good Employer is a member of the Federation of Uganda Employers’.