ISSUE 84 | JANUARY 2026
FUENEWS
THE VOICE OF EMPLOYERS
WORD FROM THE ED
Dear Esteemed Member,
In recent times, the world of work is evolving at a fast-paced rate with new and emerging trends transforming business operations as organisations grapple with hybrid working models, integration of Artificial Intelligence (A.I) tools, mental health awareness, re-skilling and up-skilling the workforce among other pertinent issues. For the modern Chief Executive Officer (CEO), leadership in 2026 is no longer defined merely by the management of assets but by the ability to navigate a “polycrisis” characterised by geopolitical fragmentation, an uneven artificial intelligence (AI) revolution and shifting societal expectations.
In a bid to enhance employer competitiveness, we convened the FUE-CEO Breakfast Meeting themed, ‘Leading Effectively in Tough Economic Times’. The meeting provides a platform for business leaders to share practical insights to navigate modern-day leadership challenges in the evolving labour market. The key takeaways for effective leadership in tough economic times included the ability to deal with complex situations, resilience and grit, mentorship and talent development, emotional intelligence and continuous learning among others. Collaboration and strategic partnerships were emphasised as key pillars to boost business growth and sustainable development at national level. We believe these high-level engagements are significant to support Employers learn, adopt and benchmark best business practices to excel in a volatile business climate.
Despite progress achieved in ending child labour, an estimated 138 million children are still affected globally which placed the world off track to meet SDG target 8.7 by 2025. In view of this, we participated in the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour that was held in Marrakech, Morocco. The conference brings together tripartite and social partners to accelerate collective action. The focus areas of discussion included scaling up digital tools, enforcing stricter supply chain due diligence, enhancing social protection, and integrating education with rural development to combat root causes. At the conference, the Global Framework for Action Against Child Labour that calls for stronger implementation of international labour standards, including the ILO Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) and the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) as well as better enforcement, strengthened institutions, social dialogue, and effective coordination was adopted. We call upon Employers to join the fight against child labour to protect the future workforce.
As a member-based organisation, we convene the Annual General Meeting to provide a comprehensive report of achievements throughout a given year. Save the Date for the FUE 47th Annual General Meeting slated for Wednesday, 18th March from 8:00 am (EAT) at Hotel Africana.
Thank you,
Mr. Douglas Opio
The Chief Executive Officer, FUE.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
- Word from the ED
- The FUE-CEO Breakfast Meeting
- The 6th Global Conference on the Elimination Of Child Labour
- Employers’ Consultative Meeting on Establishment Of SSECs
THE FUE-CEO BREAKFAST MEETING
The FUE-CEO Breakfast Meeting was convened on Friday 20th February 2026 at Golden Tulip Hotel under the theme, ‘Leading Effectively in Tough Economic Times’. Business Leaders, CEOs and key industry players from various sectors of the economy were in attendance. The keynote speaker was Dr. David Molapo, the Founder, I Can Group International.
Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Douglas Opio in his remarks encouraged business leaders to apply the E.R.I.C model which stands for Eliminate, Reduce, Increase and Create for smooth work operations. He reiterated the need for CEOs in attendance to discover triggers of stress and deal with them immediately to eliminate mental health challenges, burn out and low productivity.
The keynote speaker, Dr. David Molapo shared a comprehensive presentation on Strategic Leadership and Institutional Governance: Navigating Global Volatility and Ugandan Economic Transformation in 2026. He emphasised key tenets for effective leaders such as integrity, focus, passion, embracing the fourth industrial revolution, mutual respect, collaboration and emotional intelligence to stay afloat in tough economic times. Dr. Molapo further encouraged leaders to adopt a human-centric approach to leadership to promote employee well-being and create a conducive work environment.
We are keen to support business leaders build robust entities, develop a resilient workforce and foster organisational development. Onwards and Upwards in strengthening the Employers fraternity!
THE 6TH GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON THE ELIMINATION OF CHILD LABOUR
As a key stakeholder on labour and employment matters, we participated in the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour on 11th to 13th February in Marrakech, Morocco. The conference brings together governments, international organisations, social partners, civil society, and the private sector in Marrakech to accelerate collective action. A decisive step was undertaken: strengthening commitments, mobilising resources, protecting the most vulnerable children, and building sustainable solutions built on education, social protection, rural development, and decent work.
At the conference, Our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Douglas Opio was one of the panelists of the thematic session on, ‘Social Protection and the Transition to Formality to Eliminate Child Labour’. The key points of discussion included the role of the informal economy in accelerating child labour, the policies, measures and institutional conditions that have created an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises including micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to support formalisation, the extension of social protection coverage and the reduction of child labour.
Furthermore, the closing ceremony featured the adoption of the Global Framework for Action Against Child Labour. The framework recognises that child labour is both a cause and a consequence of poverty and is shaped by wider structural factors, including lack of decent work and gaps in protection and services.
FUE in partnership with the ILO, Government of Netherlands and other social partners is coordinating the ACCEL project to eliminate child labour in supply chains through sensitisation of Employers, conducting due diligence, collaboration with businesses in affected sectors and rewarding organisations that eliminate child labour in the Employer of the Year Awards (EYA).
Its expedient to note that ending child labour calls for integrated, multi-dimensional responses that link education, skills development, employment, and social protection to address root causes and scale up what works. Let’s make concerted efforts to protect children from exploitation and preserve the future workforce!
EMPLOYERS’ CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON ESTABLISHMENT OF SSECs
In 2025, the Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council was established after the Government of Uganda enacted the TVET Act 2025 which introduces a new governance and regulatory framework for the TVET sub-sector.
As a member of the TVET Council, we convened a consultative meeting for Employers operating in the TVET sub-sector on Tuesday 24th February 2025 at our head offices. The main aim of the meeting was to deliberate on the formation and operational modalities of Sector Skills Expert Committees (SSECs) as well as the role of each stakeholder in their establishment and oversight.
In accordance with the TVET Act 2025, SSECs are mandated to identify skills gaps required in the world of work, provide labour market intelligence for the development of training packages and curricula, advise on the establishment of new TVET programmes relevant to industry needs, recommend improvements in the TVET system and advise on the abolition of programmes that no longer match labour market demands. The members of the SSECs are also required to understand evolving workplace technologies, occupational standards, and enterprise skills requirements. Additionally, the SSECs will act as industry-led platforms for the priority sectors aligned with National Development Plan IV (NDPIV).
As we work towards developing an Employer-led TVET system, we believe partnerships and collaborations with key stakeholders in the TVET sub-sector is vital to streamline technical education at national level to promote job creation and advance economic growth.
ADAPTING TO UGANDA’S NEW OSH STANDARDS WEBINAR
The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH Amendment) Act No. 20 of 2025 came into force on 25th July 2025 amending the OSH Act, 2026 Cap. 231, Laws of Uganda. The amendment widens the scope of the law to cover all workplaces, repealing the earlier restriction to workplaces with at least 20 employees. In a bid to ensure health and safety at the workplace, we conducted a virtual sensitisation themed, ‘Adapting to Uganda’s New OSH Standards’ on 4th February 2026.
During the webinar, Employers were implored to establish safety and health committees regardless of the number of employees as a mandatory requirement of the amended act. Participants were enlightened on the statutory requirement to monitor the health of workers exposed to occupational hazards as well as inform workers of any disease outbreak and the applicable prevention measures. In addition, keeping and maintaining a record of all interactions with the labour officer as well as ensuring all conducting OSH trainings are registered with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development was emphasised.
We call upon Employers to acquaint themselves with the new, amended and repealed sections of the OSH Amendment Act 2025 to ensure they are operating within the confines of the law to protect company reputation and reduce industrial action that can lead to litigation and court sanctions.
Click the link for a recap of the sensitisation: https://shorturl.at/P5UjE
For a customised training on the OSH Amendment Act 2025, contact info@fuemployers.org | 0392 777 410 for inquiries.
DEVELOPMENT OF A PILOT APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMME IN THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
The Government of Uganda with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) under the PROSPECTS partnership and the World Bank funded Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP). UCSATP aims to upscale skills for productive and climate-smart agriculture in the refugee-hosting districts. This is the second phase of PROSPECTS partnership programme following the successful implementation of the formal apprenticeship programme in the hotel and tourism sectors during the first phase.
In view of the above, the ILO in collaboration with the World Bank organised a week-long workshop from 9th to 13th February 2026 at Imperial Golf View Hotel, Entebbe. The main aim of the workshop was to develop a pilot apprenticeship programme for the agricultural sector in Uganda focusing on three skill areas namely irrigation, soil testing, and farm structures. Participants included the officials from the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD), Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF), the Uganda Vocational and Technical Assessment Board (UVTAB), National Agriculture Research Organisation (NARO), ILO, FUE, National Organisation of Trade Union (NOTU), Holland Greentech, Dutch Seed Center, Makerere University, among others.
UCSATP promotes climate-smart agriculture in 69 districts including seven refugee-hosting areas. It provides grants for community investments, tractor services, production facilities, and other agricultural inputs to refugees and host community farmer groups to improve resilience, productivity, and income. However, the success of this project is hindered by shortage of trained agricultural technicians, language barriers, and a mismatch between refugee skills and job market needs. The recommendations to address the above challenges are training of more technicians, such as irrigation technicians, soil testing technicians and agronomists to enhance agricultural productivity and ensure long-term sustainability in refugee and host communities.
The workshop concluded with the development of three draft concept notes, the apprenticeship programme in the agricultural sector, and the budget to train the youth as technicians for irrigation, farm structure, and soil testing were designed. This will be followed by the development of the courses content, training of the trainers and the implementation of the program.
FUE STAFF COMMENTARY
ACQUAINT WITH THE FUE MEMBERSHIP SERVICES FOR SUSTAINED MUTUAL SUPPORT AND ACCOUNTABILITY
“The greatness of an association is most accurately measured by the efforts and contributions of its members”, goes the adage. In this regard, the Federation of Uganda Employers (FUE) has been, and continues to be the leading advocate and trusted partner for employers in shaping the future of work at national and international levels through provision of various services that are summarised under policy advocacy, business support services, and fostering sustainable employment relations and job creation.
FUE represents all employers in Uganda on the national tripartite structure which also consists of the leadership of the Workers’ Unions and the Government of Uganda, besides being the International Labour Organisation’s recognized private sector constituent that represents employers in Uganda at the International Labour Conference, which convenes annually to, among others, deliberate and determine the international labour standards. In addition, FUE is a member of the International Organisation of Employers (IOE), Business Africa, and the East African Employers Organisation (EAEO).
The Federation of Uganda Employers’ work and accomplishment is a direct result of your continued membership contributions and support over the years, which have shaped the organisation to what it is today. As William Arthur Ward, a renowned American motivational writer and educator counsels, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it”. Given that appreciation is a virtue that resides in us, it is with this sense of appreciation that I express our sincere gratitude and deep pride to you, our esteemed members for your commitment to FUE as a member. Together, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
Since membership goes with services, and considering the critical role that you, the FUE members play in sustaining and driving your organisation forward as indicated above, every paid-up member is entitled to get the following services that are covered by the annual membership subscription:
- On-the-site/ In-house sensitization in areas like Human Resources (HR), Employment Relations (ER), and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) at your convenience.
- The FUE-CEO Breakfast meetings are organised under different themes and topical issues. These meetings are held three times every year. As for this year, the meetings will take place on the following dates: Friday, 20th February 2026, Friday, 22nd May 2026, and Friday, 20th November 2026.
- The FUE Monthly E-Newsletter is shared through the general emails system and /or by the FUE focal person responsible for servicing your organisation.
- Advice on HR, Employment Relations & Legal issues by the respective team of experts. These can be reached through the account manager/ focal person responsible to servicing your organisation.
- The general sensitisation, as per the FUE Calendar, is shared at the beginning of every year.
- The Mini-Occupational Safety & Health audit of your workplace for compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, 2006 (as amended in 2025).
- The FUE Annual Report is prepared and presented during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March of every year.
- The Mini- HR & Policy Audits (Quick Gap Analysis) of the HR Manual and review of ER and workplace documents to ensure compliance, ethical behaviour, and accountability.
- FUE account manager/ focal person’s servicing visits periodically to, among others, provide or furnish you with the necessary information and updates, and receive feedback from you.
- One of the main benefits of being an FUE member is the ability to make meaningful career connections through networking. So, the networking opportunities are provided during the FUE events/ programmes/ activities like the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Employer of the Year (EYA) Launch, Post EYA Feedback Meeting, FUE-CEO Breakfast Meetings, the Annual Women Leadership Conference, FUE Workshops, and FUE General Trainings and Sensitisation.
The fact that FUE membership is arranged in six categories from Platinum as the highest, followed by Gold, Silver, Bronze, Copper to Zinc in that order, the fore mentioned membership services depend on the category of membership. This implies that the higher the category of membership, the more the services a member gets.
Besides the membership (free) services as indicated above, FUE has some other paid for, and consultancy services in the areas as indicated below:
- The General Salary and Benefits Surveys/ Special Salary Surveys to enable employers make informed, data-driven decisions on compensation strategy to attract, retain, and motivate top talent, manage costs effectively, and ensure legal compliance.
- Workplace registration process to comply with the OSH Act, 2006 (as amended in 2025) which is mandatory for all employers in Uganda and enforced by the government.
- General (Human resources) training as per the FUE calendar, and whenever a member has training needs for their staff.
- Review and development of workplace policies and manuals to cover a number of operational and behavioural aspects of an organisation.
- Dispute Resolution in the form of negotiation, mediation, or arbitration at the workplace.
- Employee recruitment and hiring process on behalf of any employer.
- Attendance at the Employer of the Year Awards Dinner, which is held once every year.
- Attendance at the Annual Women Leadership Conference, which is held in October every year.
- Enrolment in FUE courses like the Female Future Program (FFP) and the Executive Training in Employment Relations (ETER).
Rick Dunn (2024) provides five simple strategies that can help you to benefit fully from the value of your membership to organisations like FUE. These include: Actively Engage with your association; Regularly review the membership benefits and provide feedback; Do not limit your membership to a single point of contact in your organisation but rather add colleagues in to your membership; Develop a simple method to assess the value of your membership; and maintain an open dialogue with your association to discuss any perceived value gaps with your account manager, seek additional opportunities that align with your business goals, and provide feedback on how the association can better serve you.
Therefore, as Nick Estrada (2018) rightly puts it, members are at the core of everything that their association does whether those members are individuals, companies or even other associations because such members as the owners of the association. By communicating your needs and expectations, you would help shape the services that we (FUE) offer to ensure these services align with your goals. In this regard, Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft and a Philanthropist asserts: “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we can improve”.
By Patrick Ajuna, Policy and Research Officer
NOTICE OF THE FUE 47TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
FUE-AGM REPORT ADVERTS
The FUE-AGM Report is an exclusive publication distributed to a wide audience of business professionals with vast opportunities for Employers to showcase products and services through advert placement.
Secure your spot today.
For inquires and advert placement, contact info@fuemployers.org | 0392 777 410.
FUE REGIONAL MEMBER ENGAGEMENT
As the sole Employers’ organisation in Uganda, our members are spread across all regions. We conducted membership visits to organisations affiliated to FUE operating in the Eastern Region.
We were delighted to engage Madhvani Group, BIDCO Uganda Ltd and Busoga International Polytechnic.
We applaud these esteemed FUE members for upholding best business practices, promoting job creation, advancing skills development, supporting the community where they operate and contributing to economic growth.
We are proudly associated!
‘Every Good Employer is a member of the Federation of Uganda Employers’.
UPCOMING EVENT
