Organisations and individuals at the forefront of promoting safer, fairer, and more inclusive workplaces were honoured at the Employer Awards ceremony held at Nyaika Hotel in Fort Portal.

The event, organised by the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Uganda) in partnership with Enabel, highlighted progress made under the Workplace Safety Initiative, a programme aimed at eliminating gender-based discrimination and violence in the world of work.

In her remarks, FIDA-Uganda Chief Executive Officer, Adriko Lillian, applauded employers for embracing change and prioritising workers’ rights. She noted that through the initiative, FIDA-Uganda has trained over 299 employers and 2,104 employees, equipping them with tools to promote dignity and equality at work.

“I am pleased to note that 35 entities completed comprehensive self-assessments, enabling them to strengthen internal systems for addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and promoting gender equality,” Lilian said. 

As a result of these trainings, institutions have adopted several transformative practices. These include the introduction of sexual harassment policies, confidential reporting mechanisms, appointment of gender focal persons, and the integration of gender-sensitive procedures in recruitment and disciplinary processes.

FIDA-Uganda has also provided legal aid to 1,822 workers, empowering them to speak up and defend their rights. Broader community engagements led by cultural and religious leaders have reached more than 270 people, sparking dialogue and shifting harmful social norms that perpetuate workplace violence. 

Speaking on behalf of Enabel in Uganda, Bonny Ssekiwanda, the Country Grants Coordinator, emphasised the initiative’s goal of fostering dignified workplaces, particularly for women and young people.

“We want employers to move from policy statements to real action, including reviewing contracts, integrating clauses on sexual harassment, and establishing safe reporting channels that promote decent work,” he said. “It is encouraging to see some employers already implementing these changes.” 

Echoing this progress, Faith Chagara, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at FIDA-Uganda, noted that 13 businesses now have clear reporting channels for gender-based violence, while 18 have developed ethical codes of conduct, signalling a shift from awareness to meaningful action. 

The ceremony recognised outstanding institutions and individuals demonstrating leadership in championing safe, equitable, and dignified workplaces. Top awardees included: 

• Asobola Community Development (ASCODE) 

• Nyaika Hotel 

• D’Venue Hotel – Masindi 

• Bigodi Training and Common Facility Centre (BTCFC) 

Additional organisations and individuals acknowledged for their contributions were: Kolping Hotel Masindi, Sulaiman Barongo, Bwijanga Coffee Cooperative Association, Mountains of the Moon Hotel, Vizitaz Home Hotel, Pamela Restaurant, Birunji Sewante, Kabonero Agetereine Catering Services, Bigodi Community Walking Safaris, Kato Francis, Duchess Hotel, Kyakakwanzi Catering Services, and Trek Rwenzori Tours.

Through the partnership with FIDA-Uganda under the Decent Work and Social Protection Project, Enabel is working towards creating safer, fairer, and more dignified work environments, particularly across the agriculture, tourism, and hospitality sectors in the Albertine and Rwenzori regions of Uganda.

Through the workplace safety initiative and collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and the Technical Working Group, labour inspections have been boosted, labour officers have been provided with tools and inspection permits, and workplaces have been encouraged to display sexual harassment notices, referral pathways, and uphold proper contract and compensation practices. 

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