FUE December 2025 E-Newsletter – The Voice of Employers

ISSUE 83 | DECEMBER 2025

AN OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE FEDERATION OF UGANDA EMPLOYERS

FUENEWS

THE VOICE OF EMPLOYERS

FUE CEO MESSAGE

Dear Esteemed Member,

2025 has been an exciting journey of growth, resilience and great progress as the premier voice of Employers on social and economic issues in Uganda.

Annual Summary

During the year, we reached several milestones through working with various stakeholders at local, regional and international level. As our member, your participation in events, meetings, projects and surveys has been impactful to the work we have been able to do. Here is a recap of all the profound highlights of the year 2025;

At the FUE 46th Annual General Meeting, the new Governing Council was elected with Mr. Fred Bamwesigye and Ms. Mona Muguma Ssebuliba as Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson respectively. We convened the FUE flagship events including, the CEO Breakfast Meetings, the Employer of the Year Awards (EYA) Dinner, the Annual Women Leadership Conference, the Tech@Work Entrepreneurship Challenge, the Global Skills Forum, bipartite meetings and other international engagements. We participated in global commemoration events with various stakeholders such as the World Day Against Child Labour, the World Day for Safety and Health, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities among others.

In a bid to promote good industrial relations at the workplace, we convened consultation meetings with the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) and the Confederation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU) in partnership with the Danish Industry (DI) to discuss Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to reduce the case backlog at the industrial court that hinders workforce productivity and organisational growth. These sessions led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with NOTU to promote amicable ways to solve workplace conflicts. Furthermore, we were delighted to sign an MOU with the Industriall National Coordinating Council to strengthen collaborative approach to facilitate the domestication of Convention 190 concerning the elimination of violence and harassment in the world of work.

As a member-based organisation, we supported our esteemed Employers to promote decent work, conduct Responsible Business Conduct (RBC), share and benchmark best business practices through high-level networking events that propelled them to great heights. In the same vein, we welcome all new members who joined the Federation this year. We look forward to advancing sustainable business through our service offerings.

We commend your commitment and loyalty to the work of the Federation. As we close the year to enjoy the festive season, I implore you to celebrate your achievements and reflect on strategies to expedite success in the coming year.

Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year 2026!

Thank you,
Together for Employers.

Douglas Opio

The Chief Executive Officer, FUE

FUE CEO Message
International Day for Persons with Disabilities 2025
The Female Future Alumnae Association Networking Event
Launch: The Better Life and Work Report
FUE New Members 2025
FUE Member Engagement
Season’s Greetings

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 2025

On 3rd December annually, the world commemorates International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD). The IDPD 2025 was themed, ‘Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress’. The commemoration event in Uganda was convened in Mubende with the Prime Minister represented the President. Other dignitaries included the State Minister for Disability Asamo Hellen, State Minister for Elderly Mafabi Gidudu, local leaders from several districts in the country and other international guests.

The Prime Minister delivered the address on behalf of the President that highlighted the progress attained by the government over the years for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) including reserving leadership positions i.e. councillors, council leaders and Members of Parliament, introducing scholarships for learners with disabilities and providing grants for PwDs and many other affirmative action programmes. He revealed that they introduced an extra top-up of UGX. 500,000 on the Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to support businesses of PwDs.

FUE champions disability inclusion at the workplace through sensitisation of Employers, conducting accessibility audits and rewarding employers applying best practices to accommodate for PwDs through initiatives like the Employer of the Year Awards (EYA). We encourage Employers to join the Uganda Business and Disability Network (UBDN) to engage in peer to peer dialogue, influence policy and attain visibility that are key to thrive at global level.

It’s important to note that disability inclusion contributes greatly to business growth and economic development. We believe working with various stakeholders can create a conducive environment for PwDs to thrive at the national level. Special appreciation to our partners, Light for the World and the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) supporting us on this journey.

Employers are encouraged to join the UBDN to champion disability inclusion at the workplace.
To join the UBDN, contact info@fuemployers.org | 0392 777 410 for inquiries.

THE FEMALE FUTURE ALUMNAE ASSOCIATION NETWORKING EVENT

The Female Future Alumnae Association (FFAA) is a network of ladies that have completed the Female Future Leadership Program (FFP). The FFAA convened a high-tea networking event for all ladies from the 25 Cohorts of the FFP on Friday 5th December from 5:00pm (EAT). The theme of the event was, ‘The Power of Mentorship’. The Guest Speaker was Ms. Jacqueline Asiimwe, the Chief Executive Officer, CivSource Africa.

In her presentation, Ms. Asiimwe reiterated the need to recognise and appreciate all that have been a part of one’s growth journey at personal and professional level. She encouraged all ladies to invest in professional, peer and reverse mentoring because learning is a continuous process at all levels. Ms. Jacqueline additionally highlighted gratitude as a path to accessing greater heights on the journey of life.

We believe when ladies support each other , through building professional networks and creating a safe space to acquire skills, it will advance organisational growth. It’s vital to join professional associations that play a significant role in advancing career development.

LAUNCH: THE BETTER LIFE AND WORK REPORT

As the sole Employers organisation in Uganda, we are affiliated to the International Organisation of Employers (IOE). We were delighted to participate in the launch event of the second learning for better life and work joint report on 5th December. The event was organised by IOE in partnership with Business at OECD. Participants included IOE, BIAC, UNESCO, employer organisations and business leaders to discuss the report findings and its implications.

The new joint report is built on the initial publication from 2022 which highlighted the importance of education and training policies in supporting employability, productivity and well-functioning labour markets. The 2025 report expands the previous findings with updated evidence and insights integrating five additional countries namely Brazil, Egypt, Korea, Mexico and Portugal that were not covered in the previous publication. The report provides an updated overview of persistent skills mismatches and emerging labour market needs in addition to identifying opportunities to improve alignment between education systems and business demands.

The main findings of the report include;

• The lack of an overarching comprehensive learning strategy
• Inadequate quality education and training
• Digital transformation driving change and reforms
• Increased uptake of Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
• Poor approach to life-long learning
• Cooperation with employers as a key aspect
• High levels of skills mismatches

The Recommendations to Align Education and Training;

• Designing a comprehensive life-long learning approach
• Setting learning objectives Focused on competencies for life and work
• Strengthening the foundations of education and lifelong learning
• Focusing on employability
• Adapting future skills in an evolving world of work
• Applying technology to innovate learning process

As the world of work evolves continually, skills development is critical for organisation to thrive at global level. We believe a strategic approach to promote a culture of life-long learning will support Employers stay afloat in unprecedented circumstances.

FUE NEW MEMBERS 2025

As a member-based organisation, we are delighted to welcome these Employers to the FUE family. We look forward to working with each of these members to build strong entities, advance decent work for all and advance sustainable development.

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

Together for Employers!

FUE MEMBER ENGAGEMENT

Our CEO, Mr. Douglas Opio paid a courtesy visit to Kyagalanyi Coffee Ltd, an esteemed FUE member. Kyagalanyi is the oldest licensed coffee exporter in Uganda established in 1992. Kyagalanyi won the 2024 Employer of the Year Awards (EYA) for elimination of child labour supply chains. We commend the organisation for upholding labour standards, promoting best business practices and creating a conducive work environment.

We implore all FUE members to fully utilise all benefits stipulated in their membership category throughout the year. We are readily available to serve you at all times.