As Uganda marked the dawn of October 1, 2025, a wave of resolve is sweeping through the ranks of local government workers. Many were poised to withdraw their labour in a nationwide strike, protesting the persistent discrimination and unfulfilled promises that have left them undervalued and underpaid. Yet, amid this determination, a shadow of hesitation lingers among some—fears that their actions might invite reprisals or fall outside the protective umbrella of the law.
Let me dispel these doubts: the right to strike is not just a privilege but a fundamental entitlement enshrined in Uganda’s Constitution and legislative framework. It is time for workers to embrace this right without apology, holding the government accountable for its failures.
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At the heart of this struggle lies Article 40(3) of the Constitution of Uganda, which unequivocally grants every worker the right to form or join a trade union, engage in collective bargaining, and withdraw labour through strikes in accordance with the law.
This provision is no mere rhetoric; it has been operationalised through key statutes that provide clear pathways for industrial action. The Public Service Act (Cap 91), under Section 15, affirms the participation of public officers in labour unions, aligning with constitutional principles and the mechanisms for negotiation and dispute settlement.
Further bolstering this is the Public Service (Negotiating, Consultative and Disputes Settlement Machinery) Act (Cap 93), particularly Section 7, which outlines the right of public service workers to strike once negotiation avenues are exhausted. It mandates advance notice and peaceful resolution attempts, ensuring strikes are a last resort rather than a hasty measure.
In this case, local government workers have dutifully followed these protocols. Their union, formed to champion economic and social interests, has exhausted internal dialogues with the government—dialogues that have been met with uncooperative silence.
This impasse traces back to the 2018 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the government and public sector unions, a landmark pact aimed at salary enhancements across the board. While a few categories of government employees saw partial implementation, local government workers were inexplicably sidelined, deprived of the promised pay hikes without any justifiable explanation.
This selective fulfillment not only breeds inequality but undermines the very essence of collective bargaining—a process designed to foster equity and trust between employers and employees. For years, unions have sought amicable resolutions, but the government’s intransigence has left no alternative but industrial action.
Critics may argue that strikes disrupt essential services, but the law anticipates and mitigates such concerns. The Labour Unions Act (Cap 228), Section 24, grants immunities to registered organisations and their members from civil suits arising from acts in furtherance of a legitimate labour dispute.
This includes protection against claims of contract breaches or interference with employment rights. Moreover, as workers’ rights are human rights under Article 20(2) of the Constitution, all government organs—from Resident District Commissioners (RDCs) to Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs)—are duty-bound to respect, uphold, and promote them. Any attempts to intimidate or threaten striking workers would not only violate these safeguards but invite swift union intervention and legal recourse.
To my fellow brothers and sisters in local governments: this strike is your constitutional shield against poor treatment and discrimination. The union must stand ready to defend every participant, reporting and challenging any administrative overreach. Report abuses promptly to leadership, and let us unite in this fight for liberation.
The government, as the employer, must honour its commitments from the 2018 CBA and beyond. In doing so, we not only secure better wages but reaffirm the democratic principles that bind our nation.
Uganda’s workers deserve no less. Today, as the strike takes second day , let it be a beacon of collective strength—lawful, resolute, and unyielding.
A Writer is Concerned Local Government worker
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