The project will tackle issues like child labour in agricultural sectors, employees' contractual rights, and other areas, with suitable interventions identified by the Ministry of Gender.
The European
Union has allocated 19.8 billion to promote human rights in business
practices and private companies. This funding supports the implementation of
the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP), adopted by Uganda
three years ago.
The funds
are directed toward the "Advancing Respect for Human Rights by Businesses
in Uganda" project, managed by Enabel in partnership with the Ministry of
Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
The initiative seeks to address human
rights abuses in business activities, especially those impacting women.
Uganda’s NAP focuses on three areas: labour rights in the agricultural sector,
natural resource governance and land, and digital rights and internet
governance.
The State
Minister for the Elderly Dominic Gidudu, noted that the project aligns with the government’s commitment to uphold the rights of all people, as enshrined in the Constitution. “Several laws such as the Employment
Act, the Children Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and the Equal
Opportunities Commission Act, provide a legal framework for human rights
protection,” he stated.
He added
that the government views the private sector as a crucial driver of social and
economic transformation and as an enabler of human rights through job creation,
skills development, service provision, and revenue generation. However, there
are instances of human rights violations within various sectors that must be
addressed.
Mariam
Wangadya, Chairperson of the Uganda Human Rights Commission (UHRC), emphasized
that private companies must protect the rights of all people without
discrimination. This responsibility, she noted, was underscored by the UN Human
Rights Council in 2011, which introduced the "UN Guiding Principles on
Business and Human Rights."
She explained that these principles serve as a
blueprint for companies to fulfil their human rights obligations, guiding them
to prevent harm, address potential impacts, and prioritize vulnerable
communities.
“This project and financial support will help sustain
NAP’s implementation, creating a society where businesses set benchmarks in
human rights practices.”
Luc Pirson, the EU Deputy Head of Mission in Uganda, stated that the project’s
overall objective is to reduce human rights abuses, especially those affecting
women and children in Uganda’s business activities. “Specifically, we aim to
strengthen the Business and Human Rights agenda among stakeholders, including
government ministries, departments, businesses, and civil society
organizations,” he added.
The project
will tackle issues like child labour in agricultural sectors, employees'
contractual rights, and other areas, with suitable interventions identified by
the Ministry of Gender. This initiative is expected to enhance the
institutional capacities of various agencies to implement NAP, while also
increasing awareness and engagement among Ugandan and European businesses
regarding human rights.
A total of
1,000,000 people are set to be sensitized across the Albertine region and Kampala Metropolitan.
