Uganda will proudly host the International Vision Zero Africa Conference (IVZAC) 2025 from 27th to 29th August at Speke Resort Munyonyo, bringing together policymakers, experts, and stakeholders committed to safer, healthier, and more sustainable workplaces across Africa.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Hon. Esther Davinia Anyakun, Minister of State for Labour, Employment and Industrial Relations, reaffirmed Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding its workforce as a cornerstone of national development.
Advancing Workplace Safety and Health
The Vision Zero campaign, launched in Uganda last year, is a transformative approach aimed at preventing work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases. It shifts focus from reaction to proactive prevention through leadership commitment, risk management, worker participation, and continuous improvement.
Aligned with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and Uganda’s Vision 2040, the strategy contributes to creating a productive, competitive, and sustainable economy by ensuring the health and well-being of workers.
“Government recognises that a safe and healthy workforce is a prerequisite for achieving national goals. Hosting IVZAC 2025 is a demonstration of Uganda’s unwavering commitment to occupational safety and health,” Hon. Anyakun noted.
Strengthening Uganda’s Labour Framework
Uganda recently strengthened its legal foundation for workplace safety. In February 2025, Parliament passed the Occupational Safety and Health (Amendment) Act, 2023, expanding its scope to address dynamic workplace hazards and modern employment trends. The Act was assented to by President Museveni in April 2025, marking a new chapter for labour rights and protections.
Partnerships Driving Vision Zero
The conference is jointly organised by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in collaboration with public and private sector partners. It will bring together governments, development partners, the private sector, academia, and OSH professionals to exchange knowledge and champion safer work environments across the continent.
A Call to Action
The Minister called on all stakeholders, government institutions, private sector, social partners, academia, and the media to embrace the Vision Zero movement and actively participate in this landmark event.
The International Vision Zero Africa Conference 2025 is more than a meeting; it is a catalyst for meaningful change in Africa’s world of work. Uganda’s hosting of this event reaffirms its position as a Rising Nation committed to protecting its workforce while advancing socio-economic transformation.
In her remarks ahead of the International Vision Zero Africa Conference 2025, Eva Katushabe, Commissioner of the Occupational Safety and Health Department, highlighted the landmark changes introduced in the recently amended Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, 2023, assented to in April 2025.
The Commissioner noted that while Uganda’s original OSH law had been in place since 2006, it primarily focused on formal workplaces. With the evolving world of work, it became necessary to expand the scope to include all forms of employment, including virtual and home-based work.
“Today, we recognise that hazards exist not only in factories and offices but also in remote and digital workspaces. The amended law ensures that every worker, regardless of where they work, is protected,” she said.
Key Provisions in the Amended OSH Law
1. Annual Safety and Health Audits
A significant innovation is the requirement for every workplace to conduct an annual safety and health audit, much like financial or environmental audits. These audits will be undertaken by certified occupational safety and health practitioners, who will submit reports to government. The Ministry will then use these findings to guide inspections and interventions in workplaces with identified risks.
2. Prosecution of Violators
Previously, enforcement often ended at inspections, recommendations, or temporary factory closures. The new law strengthens accountability by enabling direct collaboration with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). This ensures that negligent employers can now face legal action for non-compliance with safety standards.
3. Worker Rights and Awareness
The amendment reinforces the right of employees to remove themselves from dangerous situations at work. However, Commissioner Katushabe observed that many workers, out of economic desperation, often overlook these rights. The law seeks to empower employees with greater awareness and protection, ensuring that safety is not compromised in pursuit of livelihoods.
4. Occupational Health Surveillance
A critical new requirement is that employers must conduct regular health checks for their workers, at least annually. This surveillance helps detect gradual health impairments such as hearing loss, vision deterioration, or long-term exposure to chemical hazards before they become irreversible.
Protecting Uganda’s Workforce for Sustainable Growth
The Commissioner emphasised that these reforms represent more than legal provisions; they embody Uganda’s commitment to safeguarding its people as a foundation for socio-economic transformation.
“Many hazards in the workplace are invisible, and their effects are slow but devastating. With this law, we are ensuring that employers take responsibility for not only productivity but also the well-being of their workers,” she concluded.
As Uganda hosts the International Vision Zero Africa Conference 2025, these reforms strengthen the nation’s credibility as a leader in advancing decent work, occupational safety, and sustainable development.
