Government leaders have urged civil society organisations to reinforce human resource systems, prioritise young workers, and uphold decent work principles to strengthen Uganda’s development sector and tackle youth unemployment.
Speaking at the NGO HR Summit 2025 held on Friday at Royal Suites Bugoloobi, the Commissioner for Labour, Gender and Social Development, Zakari Kansiime, urged NGOs to uphold decent work practices and support young professionals entering the job market.
“We must work together to ensure that our large young population is converted into a productive workforce,” Kansiime said. “When we take care of the people, we deliver impact. We sustain the mission.”
He stressed that NGOs must comply with labour laws, maintain fair treatment during organisational disruptions, and prioritise mental health.
“Compliance may stop work temporarily, but fairness must never be restricted,” he added. “Mental health and staff wellbeing must be treated as organisational priorities, not optional interventions.”
The summit, organised by BrighterMonday Uganda in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, brought together human-resource leaders from NGOs, government and development agencies under the theme “From Uncertainty to Opportunity — People, Purpose and Progress.”
Emily Aneno Byaruhanga, Chairperson of the NGO HR Network, said the sector must rethink leadership, mentorship and workplace culture to attract and retain young talent.
“Recruitment should not be about hiring it should be about nation-building,” she said.
“Mental health is now a boardroom issue. Staff are suffering because they don’t have space to speak. Let’s create cultures that support wellbeing.”
She challenged HR professionals to become strategic leaders rather than administrative enforcers.
“HR should not be a custody centre. HR must speak the language of the business,” she said. “Young HR professionals are not the next leaders — they are leaders today.”
Pamela Kabahesi, Country Programs Lead at BrighterMonday Uganda, highlighted the organisation’s partnership with NGOs through the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works initiative to equip young people with employability skills and place them in meaningful work.
“Employment is not just about wages or having an address,” she said.
“We must ensure the youth we place in work are dignified and fulfilled, and nurture them as future leaders.”
She also urged young people to prepare for opportunities by building soft skills such as communication, punctuality and professionalism.
Xenia Wichita, Country Director at BrighterMonday Uganda, reaffirmed organization’s commitment to supporting the NGO sector in strengthening human-capital systems and improving employment opportunities for young people across the country.
