Uganda to host International conference on occupational health and safety

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The Government has announced plans to host an international conference on occupational safety and health.

Uganda will host the event from 27 to 29 August 2025 at Speke Resort Hotel Munyonyo under the theme “From Commitment to Action – Realising Vision Zero in Africa”, according to Gender Minister Betty Amongi.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to officiate at the event as the chief guest.

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) deals with all aspects of health and safety in the workplace and places a strong emphasis on the primary prevention of hazards.

Addressing the media at the Gender ministry’s headquarters in Kampala on May 5, 2025, Amongi said Uganda is highly optimistic about the positive impact of this conference, not only for the country but for the entire continent, “as we strive towards socio-economic transformation.”

“Through the International Vision Zero Africa Conference 2025, the Government of Uganda recognises that the conference is not just an event but a catalyst for meaningful change in workplace safety and health across Africa and globally,” she said.

According to her, the conference aligns directly with the Government's commitment to ensuring decent work for all Ugandans and protecting the country’s workforce.

Prof. Karl-Heinz Noetel of the International Social Security Association (ISSA), which is co-organising the conference with Uganda, said the focus of this year’s event is to ensure “zero harm, injury in places of work.”

“We are really happy to give support for this event and be part of the planning committee,” he said, adding that delegations from over 30 countries are expected to attend.

Eva Katusabe, the Acting Commissioner for Occupational Safety and Health at the Gender Ministry, said that while Uganda has enacted many strong policies and laws to address OSH, there is still a huge gap—citing limited awareness among Ugandans, low levels of compliance by workplace managers, and the Ministry’s limited capacity to enforce compliance across the country.

This, she said, is due to the limited budget allocated for OSH activities.

About Vision Zero

The Vision Zero concept was launched globally by ISSA in Singapore in September 2017 as a campaign for business leaders to commit to preventing work-related accidents.

The movement is founded on the belief that all work-related accidents, injuries, and diseases are preventable. It emphasises proactive prevention, leadership commitment, risk management, worker participation, and continuous improvement built on the pillars of safety, health, and wellbeing.

This year’s event builds on the success of previous conferences held in Lagos, Nigeria (2021), and Livingstone, Zambia (2023). It is expected to bring together leading experts and practitioners in the fields of safety, health, and wellbeing, fostering discussions and innovations in OSH.