By In a bold move to address rising workplace hazards amid a fast-evolving digital era, Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development has unveiled sweeping new measures to revolutionize occupational safety using artificial intelligence and digital tools.
Speaking at the Media Centre in Kampala on Friday 25th April ahead of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Hon. Amongi Betty Ongom declared that Uganda is stepping into a “new frontier” where technology will be harnessed to protect workers, not just boost productivity.
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“Digitalization and AI offer unprecedented opportunities for efficiency and innovation, but they also bring new risks,” said Amongi. “We must ensure that as workplaces evolve, safety evolves with them.”
Uganda has introduced the Occupational Safety and Health Management Information System (OSHMIS) a first-of-its-kind online platform to track hazards, license workplaces, and allow whistleblowers to report safety violations anonymously. The system is part of a larger reform powered by the newly assented Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Amendment Act.
Minister Amongi acknowledged the persistent issues of collapsed buildings, factory accidents, and lack of proper worker compensation, calling out employers who neglect basic protections like health insurance and personal protective equipment (PPE).
“Many injuries and deaths at workplaces stem from sheer non-compliance with basic safety measures,” she said. “We are strengthening enforcement mechanisms this time, we mean business.”
In a year when the global theme is “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work,” Uganda’s strategy is strikingly on point. AI-driven analytics will now help predict hazards before they occur, a proactive shift from traditional reactive safety models.
But the minister also warned of new dangers like “techno-stress” mental strain caused by constant digital connectivity and cybersecurity threats to employee data. She urged employers to design systems that prioritize both physical and mental well-being, including periods of “digital detox” to combat burnout.
Local governments are being roped in too, with new committees empowered to inspect workplaces, receive complaints, and enforce safety standards directly at the grassroots.
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“Safety is no longer just about hard hats and gloves. It’s about smart policies, predictive technology, and protecting the whole worker mind and body,” Amongi emphasized.
As Uganda joins the global community in marking the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the message is clear: in the race toward digital transformation, worker welfare must not be left behind.
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