KAMPALA, UGANDA – The critical message that Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) must be treated as a core business function, essential for both productivity and profitability, set a powerful tone on the first day of a pivotal three-day training workshop hosted at the Uganda Manufacturers Association (UMA).

The event, which kicked off today, has drawn a diverse group of business leaders, HR professionals, production managers, and workers, all committed to building safer, more resilient workplaces. The sessions underscored that neglecting OHS is not just a compliance failure but a direct path to significant financial, legal, and reputational damage.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Harrison Kiggundu, the Human Resources Manager at Quality Chemical Industries Ltd (QCIL), delivered a clear warning to the industry. “We must treat OHS as a critical business function,” he urged, emphasizing that on-the-job accidents result in tangible losses for both the organization and its employees. In a particularly crucial point for the manufacturing sector, he stressed the importance of including casual and temporary workers in all safety initiatives and training, as they are often engaged in high-risk tasks and their exclusion creates a major liability.

The day’s main session, facilitated by Dr. Christopher Kanyesigye, a distinguished expert in quality management and OHS, drilled down into the practical pillars of a robust safety system. Key takeaways for manufacturers included:

• Implementing Essential OHS Policies: Dr. Kanyesigye guided participants through the non-negotiable policies every factory must have, including clear procedures for incident reporting, mandatory and correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and proactive systems for hazard identification to prevent accidents before they happen.
• Building a Strong Safety Structure: He highlighted that policies are only effective when supported by a solid management structure. He strongly recommended the establishment of workplace safety committees—a cross-functional team of both management and workers—and the appointment of a designated safety officer. This structure ensures that safety is not an afterthought but is continuously monitored, discussed, and improved upon.

The overarching theme of the day was clear: ignoring OHS is bad for business. A safe workplace is not just about fulfilling legal obligations; it is a fundamental driver of employee morale, reduces costly production downtime, and protects a company’s most valuable asset—its brand reputation.

As the training proceeds into its second and third days, the manufacturing community is poised to gain even more profound insights into building a culture where safety is truly everyone’s responsibility, safeguarding both lives and livelihoods.