On September 8, 2024, eighteen workers sustained serious injuries from a fire that occurred at the Chinese manufacturing company, Landy Industries Ltd in Mukono district.
On that day, the employees showed up for their usual workday, unaware that their lives were about to take a dramatic turn.
Out of nowhere, during the afternoon, a loud explosion rocked the factory, causing panic as flames erupted, spreading rapidly and threatening everything around them. At this point, the air was thick with smoke causing panic among the trapped workers.
Vicky Akello, 19, from Pader District in Northern Uganda, was among the workers who miraculously survived with severe injuries. Akello recounts that as the flames and heat intensified, she struggled to breathe due to the choking smell of burning materials stinging her lungs.
Fear surged within her, but she fought against it, clinging to the images of her family that flashed in her mind giving her courage to hold on. “Whoever was in contact with the chemicals got burnt, and fainted. We regained consciousness while at a clinic where we were rushed,” she recounts.
According to Akello, the workers were assigned to clean the Lasting Department, where they soaked clothes in chemicals. At first, the machines were turned off, but when they were unexpectedly switched back on, a fire ignited.
This incident was largely attributed to the negligence of the station manager. This website has established from sources with an ill-fated company that it is standard procedure to power off all electrical machines whenever the conveyor machine when cleaned.
This time, however, the workers were handling highly flammable chemicals, when the station manager switched the machines back on, without warning them. Is actions triggered the devastating incident.
This ambitious teenager joined Landy Industries in the Shoe Brushing department to support herself and save for further studies. However, a fire burned her hands and fingers, making it impossible for her to return to work.
After her discharge, the facility provided painkillers for the first week, but despite her continued complaints of pain, the company did not offer any specialised treatment for her full recovery.
Akello shares the same plight with Cecilia Auma, 21, who travelled from Lira district, and also sustained serious injuries in the face, neck, and left hand.
According to Akello and Auma, they each received a medical allowance of Ugx20,000 from the company after reporting their inability to cook for themselves.
However, this amount was subsequently deducted from their final salary payment affecting their incomes and plans.
Another survivor, Esau Mugisha, 23, sustained injuries to his face and left hand during the incident. As a result, his planned travel to work in the UAE was cancelled.
He has since been denied proper medical treatment and upkeep. Additionally, Mugisha finds a challenge in claiming compensation, as the company does not provide formal employment contracts to its workers.
Mugisha, who has worked in the Lasting Department for eleven months, recounted that the chemicals quickly absorbed heat, eventually sparking a fire when Fhong switched back on.
“The force and shock of the explosion also knocked many workers to the ground and into nearby equipment, causing further injuries,” Mugisha explained.
Henry Ashaba, 23, another worker who survived the incident with several bodily injuries, shared that he has become unconscious on two occasions trying to travel to the factory for medical assistance.
Since the accident, he has been suffering from dizziness, headaches, and body pain. His hopes of leaving Isingiro to start a new life now seem to have come to a standstill.
Company HR Manager
Samuel Masika, the Human Resource Manager at Landy Industries-New site, has been unclear to our critical questions particularly regarding the company’s safety budget for basic protective measures and its compensation plan for injured workers.
He instead threatened to take legal action against any factory employee who shared details of the incident with the media, claiming that the workers were “mature enough to endure pain.”
This website has also learned from the victims that the company does not provide employment contracts to its workers, making it difficult to determine the length of employment and salaries, key factors in assessing compensation claims.
Local Leaders
Richard Ssemanda, the area councillor of Nama Sub County, explains that companies deliberately avoid giving workers contracts to escape responsibility for compensating them when accidents occur. He also mentions that, in many cases, companies deny ever employing the workers after they get injured.
Namawojjolo Parish Chairperson, Charles Lwanga, adds that factories prevent them from conducting inspections behind their fences, allowing them to exploit young workers and hide evidence of wrongdoing.
Surprisingly, despite a recent inspection by the area Member of Parliament, workers’ MP, and officials from the workers’ union, no major issues affecting workers at Landy Industries were uncovered.
Survivor’s fate
However, the fate of the survivors of the Landy fire incident remains uncertain, as the Human Resource Manager has chosen to reprimand them rather than address their grievances and take necessary steps to improve the working environment.
This lack of accountability not only exacerbates the trauma experienced by the affected workers but also indicates a concerning disregard for their safety and well-being.
With injuries sustained and ongoing medical needs, many face an uncertain road to recovery. The lack of proper treatment and compensation further complicates their situation, leaving them vulnerable and without financial security.
Instead of receiving support, workers have reported intimidation tactics from management, discouraging them from speaking out about their experiences.
As the company remains reluctant to their plight, the workers find themselves trapped in a cycle of fear and neglect, unsure of what the future holds for their livelihoods and well-being.
Troubling Trend
It has become a troubling trend among many Chinese manufacturing companies, including laying off workers following factory accidents without providing proper compensation or medical treatment.
Several companies have been frequently implicated in serious violations of workers’ rights and maintaining poor working conditions that jeopardise the safety and well-being of their employees.
Reports indicate that several machine operators have lost their lives in these factories, often with little to no compensation for their families.
At Landy Industries, workers face inadequate compensation, and incidents of intimidation are common, contributing to a toxic work environment.
This pattern of neglect and disregard for worker safety is severely damaging the reputation of Chinese investments in Uganda, raising concerns about human rights violations and the sustainability of such business practices.
Appeal To Government
The neglected workers have made a sincere appeal to the government, urging it to intervene and compel Chinese companies to enhance their working conditions.
They further stressed the urgent need for regular inspections of these industries to ensure compliance with safety standards and protect workers’ rights.
Many workers feel abandoned and vulnerable, facing intimidation from management, which discourages them from voicing their concerns.
They hope that governmental action will lead to better safety protocols and boost a more supportive environment where their rights are respected and upheld.
The workers believe that they can work with dignity and ensure their safety with proper oversight and accountability.
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