The Minister of State for Gender Esther Anyakun has urged employers to Integrate mental health and psychosocial risk management into workplace safety and health policies in their work environment.
Speaking at this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work celebration in jinja City under the theme “Building Psychosocial Resilience: Sustaining Uganda’s OSH Gains through Mental Wellbeing and Organizational Strengthing.” Esther Anyakun noted that the modern workplace is evolving rapidly, bringing with it new pressures such as high workloads, job insecurity, long working hours, workplace harassment, and the impact of economic and technological changes warning that these factors contribute significantly to stress, anxiety, depression, and reduced productivity, if not properly managed.
” As Government, we recognize that a healthy workforce is the backbone of national development. Psychosocial resilience is not only about individual coping mechanisms, but also about creating supportive organizational environments where workers feel valued, protected, and empowered,”she stated.
“I therefore call upon all employers to Integrate mental health and psychosocial risk management into workplace safety and health policies,provide access to counselling services and employee assistance programmes and ensure reasonable workloads and work-life balance for employees,”Anyakun stressed.
World Day for safety provides an opportunity to reflect on our progress in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces, while also renewing our commitment to addressing emerging challenges that affect workers across all sectors.
“This year’s theme, draws attention to a critical but often overlooked aspect of occupational safety and health — the workers’ mental wellbeing and psychosocial health.
According to the minister Uganda has made notable progress in strengthening occupational safety and health systems.
“We have enhanced regulatory frameworks, increased workplace inspections, expanded interventions beyond the formal sector and awareness on prevention of occupational hazards however, these gains can only be sustained if equal emphasis is placed on the psychological and social wellbeing of workers, which can easily affect to individual health, business profitability and national productivity,”she explained.
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“To the workers out there, I urge you to prioritize your mental wellbeing, seek support when needed, and actively participate in workplace mental health programmes.To our social partners, the workers’ and employers’ organizations, as well as our development partners, I encourage continued collaboration and partnership in promoting awareness, research, and implementing programs that address psychosocial risks at work,”
She said government remains committed to strengthening institutional capacity, enforcing compliance with occupational safety and health standards, and promoting policies that safeguard both the physical and mental wellbeing of all workers in
Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, of Private Sector Foundation Uganda Sarah Kagingo, underscored the urgency of addressing workplace risks amid a rapidly changing global labour environment.
“The world of work is undergoing profound transformation, driven by digitalisation, artificial intelligence, platform economies, and evolving work arrangements. While these shifts present immense opportunities for productivity and innovation, they introduce new and complex risks related to workplace safety and dignity,” Kagingo said.
“Evidence from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) indicates that more than one in five workers have experienced harassment at work,” she added.
According to Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) Uganda’s labour market survey Uganda’s workforce stands at 9.3 million people, with approximately 7.1 million working in the informal sector—largely dominated by women
In addressing worl place safety Kagingo said that PSFU in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has supported 90 companies to attain the Gender Equality Seal, aimed at driving gender-responsive leadership and workplace policies.
“In collaboration with UNFPA, PSFU led corporate collective action to address harassment in workplaces – supporting enterprises to establish frameworks, confidential reporting systems, and survivor -centered responsive mechanisms,” said Kagingo.
“There is a strong link to reputation and market access. Investors, partners, and customers increasingly peg decisions to how companies treat their people,” said Kagingo,
She concluded by urging private firms to integrate people-centric policies in their leadership and operations and adopt sustainable business practices, saying that “ESG considerations are fast-becoming global standards and partners do not need your permission to look into your company in a bid to gauge compliance or how you treat people.”
“Safe workplaces are not optional -they are foundational to performance, productivity, profitability, innovation, and Uganda’s economic transformation.”Kagingo observed
Mona Muguma, Chief Executive Officer of aBi Finance, called for collective responsibility in advancing gender equality.
“Gender equality and safe workplaces are not ‘women’s issues’ alone. Men must be active partners in speaking up, shaping inclusive systems and driving change where women may not always have a seat at the table,” she added.
Muguma warned that gender-based violence carries significant economic consequences.
“We are losing about UGX 3.76 trillion in productivity, accounting for about 2.76 percent of our GDP in this country due to the effects of gender-based violence,” she said.
She further emphasised the need for stronger institutional systems.
“Violence is not limited to physical abuse, but also includes psychological harm, intimidation, and unsafe work environments that affect well-being and performance,” Muguma noted.
UN Resident Coordinator, the UNAIDS Country Director in Uganda, Ms Jacqueline Makokha, said unsafe workplaces undermine both individual dignity and national development.
“Safe workplaces are central to staff well-being and national development. Unsafe workplaces reduce productivity, weaken institutional performance and erode trust in systems designed to protect workers,” she said.
“As the world of work evolves through digitalisation and new models, risks of violence persist. Global data shows that one in five workers are affected, with women disproportionately impacted,” Makhokha stressed.
Dr Angela Nakafeero, Commissioner for Gender and Women Affairs revealed that more than one in five workers globally experience violence or harassment in the world of work.
“On average, 86% of Ugandans—across both the private and public sectors—have been exposed to work-related violence. These statistics represent real people and real lives.”Nakafeero emphasised.
