Judicial Training Institute Executive Director Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha says faster resolution of workplace disputes is vital to protecting livelihoods, boosting productivity and supporting Uganda’s ambition of building a $500 billion economy by 2040.
The Executive Director of the Judicial Training Institute (JTI), Justice Prof. Andrew Khaukha, has called for faster resolution of labour disputes, warning that delays in addressing workplace grievances undermine productivity, investor confidence and Uganda’s economic growth ambitions.
Khaukha said effective labour justice was essential to achieving Uganda’s ambition of building a $500 billion economy by 2040, noting that unresolved workplace disputes could disrupt production, threaten livelihoods and discourage investment.
He made the remarks while speaking virtually on his own behalf and that of JTI Governing Council Chairperson Justice Mike Chibita at the opening of a four-day training programme for labour officers from the Central Region at Protea Hotel in Entebbe.
“Labour drives production across key sectors of the economy, making workplace harmony an essential foundation for economic transformation,” Khaukha said.
He reaffirmed JTI’s commitment to supporting the Industrial Court and labour officers through practical training aimed at improving the administration of labour justice and strengthening the handling of disputes before they escalate into prolonged litigation.
Khaukha commended the Head of the Industrial Court, Lady Justice Linda Lillian Tumusiime Mugisha, for spearheading the nationwide capacity-building programme, describing it as an important step towards extending training to officers who handle labour disputes at the first point of contact.
He said the initiative was consistent with the Chief Justice’s call for inclusive judicial training that delivers measurable improvements in justice delivery.
Khaukha also highlighted the Industrial Court’s efforts to modernise its operations, citing a paperless court exhibition presented during the National Court Open Day. He urged continued innovation to improve efficiency and accelerate case disposal.
To sustain the gains from the training, he proposed an annual conference for labour officers to assess progress, share experiences and address emerging challenges. He also called on the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) to support monitoring and evaluation of the programme to establish its impact on dispute resolution and the reduction of case backlogs.
In her keynote address, Tumusiime Mugisha said labour officers were central to ensuring access to labour justice, noting that their ability to handle disputes effectively often determines whether workplace grievances are resolved early or develop into protracted legal battles.
She observed that employment relationships frequently involve unequal bargaining power, requiring fair and effective mechanisms to protect workers’ rights while balancing the legitimate interests of employers.
Disputes involving dismissal, discrimination and collective bargaining agreements, she warned, can trigger strikes and lockouts, interrupt production and weaken business confidence when left unresolved.
She said timely labour justice was therefore important not only for protecting individual rights but also for maintaining stable workplaces, safeguarding livelihoods and creating a predictable environment for investment and job creation.
Tumusiime Mugisha said the Industrial Court had registered more than 8,000 cases since it began operations in 2014. Of these, more than 4,000 were direct referrals from labour officers, while approximately 400 were appeals against their decisions.
She said strengthening the capacity of labour officers to resolve disputes at the first-instance level would improve the quality of decisions and reduce pressure on the Industrial Court.
However, she noted that effective dispute resolution required improvements in case management, documentation, reporting and coordination, alongside better interpretation and enforcement of labour laws.
The training programme is designed to equip labour officers with practical skills in conciliation, mediation and adjudication, while promoting better record-keeping and consistent procedures in handling disputes.
It also seeks to prepare officers for a changing labour market, where technological advances and increasingly complex employment arrangements demand continuous learning and updated knowledge of labour laws.
The initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen labour dispute resolution mechanisms and improve access to justice for workers and employers across Uganda.