At its third meeting of 2023 held Monday 23^rd January, the Cabinet among others, approved the proposed principles for amendment of the workers Compensation Act Cap 225. 

The act is intended to improve industrial peace and harmony through streamlining matters relating to the assessment and enforcement of awards to workers for injuries suffered and illnesses incidental in the course of their employment.

The Minister of State for National Guidance, Godfrey Kabyanga Baluku who addressed journalists at the Government Media Centre in Kampala said that the Government saw it fit to have the Workers Compensation Act Cap 225 amended due to the increasing backlog and court cases related and not limited to delayed compensation and the treatment of workers injured in the course of duty.

The line minister, Charles Okello Engola who is the Minister of State for Labour, Employment, and Industrial Relations, noted that the amendment was timely because many workers, especially casual labourers have been neglected and many are suffering silently.

It is expected that the amended act will help workers speak for their rights in their workspaces, in the face of exploitative and powerful employers.

The minister added that the next step will be tabling the bill to Parliament for debate and pubic consultations, then having it passed as an Act of Parliament for the President to assent so that it becomes law.

The amended Workers Compensation Act Cap 225 shall apply to workers employed by or under the Government of Uganda as well as those employed in the private sector, but the Act shall not apply to active members of the armed forces of Uganda such as the UPDF, the Police, Prisons Service and Intelligence agencies which are covered under different laws.