By Kikomeko Pius & Harriet Musinguzi
Makerere University’s School of Engineering has taken a bold step toward reshaping national safety standards. On November 21, 2025, a team spearheading the project to advance Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE) knowledge and skills paid a strategic visit to the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, laying the foundation for stronger national frameworks in workplace safety and sustainability.
The engagement, supported by the Royal Academy of Engineering, marked a pivotal effort to align academic expertise with government policy and industrial practice. The initiative represents a significant moment in bridging academic research, industrial realities, and government priorities, setting the stage for stronger national frameworks that safeguard workers and promote sustainable development.
The meeting at the Ministry was the culmination of a rigorous phase of industry engagement. Led by the Project Principal Investigator, Dr. Abubaker Waswa, the OSHE team recently concluded a series of site visits to major industrial partners, including Roofings Limited and the Isimba Hydro Power Dam. During these industrial tours, the team engaged key safety personnel on site-specific practices and conducted brief safety audit checklists. These audits provided the team with real-world data on where industries are succeeding or falling short regarding worker safety.
Armed with this evidence, the team met with Eva Katusabe, the Commissioner in charge of Occupational Health and Safety at the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, and her team. The goal was to discuss how, together with the information collected from industry visits, they can figure out the best way to positively affect policy that ensures the safety of workers in the workplace.
The discussions focused on the intersection of labour rights and safety protocols, with both parties acknowledging that the Ministry’s mandate to advance labour rights aligns perfectly with the OSHE project’s goals.
Key areas of focus during the engagement included the urgent need to standardize certification by creating a nationally and internationally recognized pathway for OSHE practitioners. The team also highlighted challenges in policy enforcement, noting the difficulties encountered with compliance to new regulations and the pressing need for stronger enforcement mechanisms. In addition, discussions centered on curriculum integration, examining both the progress made and the challenges faced in incorporating OSHE into core academic programs as well as short course training, a move seen as vital to reducing the country’s high accident rates.
A major topic of the day was the educational roadmap for safety in Uganda. The team discussed the ongoing work at the Centers of Excellence located at Makerere University, Kyambogo University, and Busitema University.
The Ministry provided critical recommendations to refine the educational approach to Occupational Safety, Health, and Environment (OSHE). Officials stressed the urgent need to complement the theoretical training currently offered at the Centers of Excellence with practical, hands-on components that better prepare learners for workplace realities. They further emphasized that capacity-building efforts should not be limited to students and industry workers, but must also include university lecturers to ensure educators themselves are equipped with safety expertise. In addition, the Ministry underscored the importance of clearly defining the requirements for becoming a recognized Safety Officer, with formal approval and oversight from the Ministry of Education. These recommendations aim to strengthen the national framework for safety training and ensure consistency across institutions.
One big goal discussed was the push to make OSHE a universal course across all university disciplines. The consensus was that safety is not exclusive to engineering, but a fundamental aspect of life. Commissioner Katusabe urged Dr. Waswa and his team to maintain the momentum, emphasizing that continuous pressure on policy changes is required to create an everlasting impact on the country’s safety culture.
This strategic engagement between Makerere University and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development signals a transformative shift in Uganda’s approach to workplace safety. By moving beyond the classroom and into the corridors of policy, the OSHE project is ensuring that safety becomes a fundamental pillar of national development. As the team incorporates the Ministry’s recommendations into the Centers of Excellence, the path is now clear for a future where safety expertise is standardized, respected, and universally practiced across the nation.
Posted by Isemaghendera Alex, IT Officer, CEDAT