President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni reopened the long-shelved debate on Uganda’s national minimum wage, announcing a renewed commitment to labor sector reforms but cautioning that a one-size-fits-all policy may not suit Uganda’s diverse economy.
“After meeting workers at State House, we agreed to revisit key issues the minimum wage, tripartite structures, and the misuse of casual labor,” Museveni told the crowd, adding that Cabinet would deliberate on these issues in the coming month.
The president’s remarks come amid mounting pressure from labor unions and opposition leaders who argue that Uganda’s workers especially in low-income sectors remain unprotected from exploitation due to the absence of a legally enforced wage floor.
Museveni, however, warned against adopting a universal minimum wage, arguing that it could hurt productivity and employment in certain industries. “The approach we discussed, dealing with issues sector by sector, is more realistic,” he said.
He also pledged a crackdown on exploitative employment agencies and criticized firms that prioritize foreign labor over qualified Ugandans. “We are going to look into these agencies that stand between employers and workers and exploit our people,” Museveni said.
The 2025 Labour Day theme, “Consolidating on the Gains of the Parish Development Model (PDM) for Increased Productivity and Inclusive Job Creation,” reflects the government’s strategy of grassroots economic transformation. Museveni pointed to data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) showing that the majority of job creation in recent years has come from the private sector in factories, ICT, agriculture, and services — not public institutions.
He reaffirmed that job creation must be rooted in wealth generation. “You cannot have jobs without wealth. Wealth comes first,” Museveni noted, citing increased government investment in roads, electricity, and internet as job enablers.
To support long-term employment growth, Museveni urged Ugandans to embrace African integration to expand market access. “Factories and jobs mean nothing without a market. That’s why you must love Uganda and love Africa,” he said.
While Museveni did not commit to a specific date for implementing minimum wage legislation, his renewed tone suggests a shift in government posture — from resistance to cautious exploration.
For labor leaders and workers, the coming months will reveal whether this marks real reform or another cycle of political reassurance without action.
