Cascade Factory Workers Strike

There were running battles between over 300 striking workers of Cascade Company in Kireka along Kampala- Jinja highway in Kira municipality in Wakiso district on Monday afternoon.  


The workers laid down their tools to protest meager pay, poor working conditions and alleged sexual harassment by their bosses. According to the workers, they were promised Shillings 100,000 each week, but only receive Shillings 60,000.  

Police used teargas and live bullets to disperse the rowdy workers who pelted them with stones as the company managers locked themselves in the company premises. The brawl saw the protestors throwing stones at the factory gates. 

They broke windows of vehicles entering and leaving the factory, which produces weaves. One of the protesting workers who identified herself as Christine Nabadda, says they were promised contracts after six months but nothing has been done two years later. 

She also said they work for peanuts and work long hours with abuses from their Indian supervisors.  

 

//Cue in: ‘Batusubiza contract tetuziraba ...     

Cue out:….sente ntono“’//   

Mary Egwang, a casual laborer at the factory complained of sexual harassment by their supervisors.

//Cue in: ‘’Obwenzi bususe... 

Cue out:….batugoba“’//    

Efforts to get comment from the management Cascade factory were futile as the guards prevented journalists from meeting any senior official.


The Kampala Metropolitan Police Deputy Spokesperson, Luke Owesigire, says the area police commanders and officials from Gender Ministry have met the managements with selected representative of the workers to resolve the matter.