Riley packaging factory in Mbalala Industrial Park in Mukono district has once again become a focal point of public interest.
Currently, it is facing close examination amid accusations of delaying and trying to avoid compensating the family of their worker who died in the line of duty.
The worker identified as Godfrey Egesa succumbed to death as a result of negligence from the factory’s emergency response team.
Egasa was hit by strong rolls of raw materials used in making boxes at the factory after falling off from an improper forklift last month.
Egesa’s chances of survival were high but eyewitnesses at the factory claim that the response team kept him at the compound for so long waiting for clearance from the factory’s top managers.
Lately, the deceased’s family says the factory (Riley Packaging) has asked them to present a bank account, national identity card, and consent from Egesa’s paternal relatives to process the National Social Security Fund-NSSF only.
The factory’s decision left the deceased’s family in a state of quagmire wondering why it has only considered processing NSSF before compensating it for the loss of their beloved.
According to the family, the factory decision is a severe violation of Uganda’s labour standards.
Chapter 225 of The Workers Compensation Act states that where the deceased worker leaves any family members who are dependent on his or her earnings, the amount of compensation shall be a sum equal to 60 times his or her monthly earnings, computed in accordance with section 8 subject to a maximum which may be varied by the Minister on the recommendation of the labour advisory board.
Where an injury results in the death of a worker, any compensation payable under this Act shall be paid to the labour commissioner who, in consultation with the Administrator General, will pay it to the beneficiaries according to the degree of dependence of the survivors to the deceased.
The wife to Egesa indicates that the file at the factory specifies her as the next of kin to the husband. Egesa left behind a wife and five children including a lastborn of one year.
Among the requirements put up by the factory, specifically, the consent from the husband’s paternal relatives has also further complicated every process of receiving money by the widowed mother to take care of her children.
The deceased’s relatives have also asked to be part of the bank account signatories as well as share at least half of the compensation in order to issue a consent letter asked by the factory.
Our source inside Riley Packaging which preferred anonymity to talk to us says the factory will always use possible means to ensure that less or no compensation is given to victims of accidents, especially those who have served the factory for so long.
Egesa had worked at Riley Packing for a period of close to twenty years. “They will start asking for things that take one time to receive, some workers get tired of demanding compensation and give up on the process.”
Riley Packaging Human Resource Officer, Robert Kamira again chose to remain silent when contacted to shed light on the compensation woes at hand.
Several reports have indicated that many factories in Mbarara have become a hotbed for severe workplace accidents, leaving workers injured and struggling for their rights.
The situation has taken a darker turn as the Mukono Labour Office faces serious accusations of obstructing injured workers and the families of the deceased employees from receiving due compensation.
This website has established that various workers have suffered grave injuries due to unsafe working conditions, lack of proper safety measures, and inadequate training.
Nevertheless, many authorities including the office of the Resident District Commissioner, Members of Parliament, and police have conspicuously disregarded complaints despite attempts by the affected individuals and the media to seek their comments on such matters.
Some voices within the affected community argue that their MPs might be deliberately withholding assistance, intending to exploit their plight during the 2026 political campaign for personal political gains, rather than genuinely advocating for the rights and well-being of the people.
Still, human rights activists say the disturbing case requires urgent need for a comprehensive review of workplace safety practices within the industrial sector.
They urge companies to prioritise the well-being of their workforce, and regulatory bodies must remain vigilant in upholding and enforcing labour laws to protect workers from exploitation and harm.
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