Lawyers urged to join union to improve handling of labour cases
There has been less than desired interest among lawyers in handling labour cases.
John Okecho, Chairman General Central Organisation of Free Trade Union (COFTU), Workers MP Agnes Kunihira, Secretary of the National Lawyers, Judicial officers and Allied Workers Union, Penninah Tukamwesiga, Annet Birungi, Secretary General Nurses and Midwives Union, Workers MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara and members of the Judicial and lawyers Union during their AGM at Skys hotel, October 30, 2025. (Photo by Wilfred Sanya)
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Lawyers in Uganda have been urged to join the National Lawyers, Judicial officers and Allied Workers Union (NULJAW) to refine their expertise in handling labour cases.
NULJAW advocates for the rights and welfare of legal professionals and allied workers.
“We have noted that lawyers are not good at handling court cases in regard to labour issues. But if they join the union, it will be easy for them to handle matters relating to workers," said Penninah Tukamwesiga, the union's secretary.
This was during the union's annual general meeting at Sky’s Hotel in Kampala on Thursday (October 30).
Tukamwesiga said there has been less than desired interest among lawyers in handling labour cases.
"We have brought on board several lawyers who also subscribe as members of the Uganda Law Society, and we partnered with them to handle workers’ legal matters," she said.
It is a move intended to support workers to have justice, including those terminated unfairly.
The union is open to anyone who has studied law, according to the body's secretary.
Apollo Onzoma, the assistant commissioner of industrial relations at the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, called for regular union meetings to create strategies on issues relating to workers.
That way, he said, "we can solve problems faced by our members on time".
Dr Sam Lyomoki, who sits on the board of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) as a non-executive director, urged the lawyers to offer free legal services to promote the protection of the workers' rights.
The former Workers' MP said that if this is done, employers who mistreat their employees will hold back from doing so.
John Okecho, the chairman general of the Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU), spoke of the fears among workers about the threat posed by artificial intelligence.
He said some labourers are worried they will be replaced by machines or robots.
Okecho also said that not all lawyers are empowered as perceived, and therefore encouraged them to join Saving Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs).