pdf PLA ANNUAL REPORT 2024

1. Overview

In 2024, PLA continued its mission to promote and protect the rights of vulnerable and marginalized workers in Uganda. The organization focused on legal aid, child protection, civic empowerment, and business compliance, while expanding partnerships and community-based interventions.

2. Key Achievements

Legal Aid and Human Rights

• 457 workers (39% female) accessed legal aid services across Kampala, Lira, and Iganga.
• UGX 74 million recovered in unpaid wages and benefits.
• Notable success stories include reinstatements and compensation for unfair dismissal.

Child Protection and Education

• 67 children withdrawn from child labour and reintegrated into school.
• 400,647 people reached through awareness campaigns via radio, TV, and community dialogues.
• Districts of Iganga, Bugiri, and Kaliro developed action plans to eliminate child labour.

Movement Building and Civic Engagement

• 50 casual workers trained as workplace rights advocates in steel companies.
• These advocates reached 216 fellow workers and engaged district leaders to address workplace violations.

Community and District Structures

• 315 community and business volunteers trained to monitor and report child labour.
• 248 duty bearers (LCs, police, labour officers) trained on child protection laws and practices.
• 31 CBO leaders trained in project and financial management.

Business and Human Rights Compliance

• Launched Child Rights Principles and Business Guidelines for sugar and rice supply chains.
• 8 workplace inspections conducted; 21 children rescued from exploitative labour in Iganga.

3. Institutional Development and Partnerships

• Participated in national platforms on child labour, trafficking, and migration.
• Secured UGX 122.6 million in short-term funding from GAATW and other partners.
• Engaged university students as interns and volunteers to boost capacity.

4. Challenges

• Limited institutional funding constrained PLA’s ability to respond to emerging labour issues.

5. Future Plans

• Develop a new 5-year Strategic Plan (2025–2030).
• Expand operations to Albertine, Rwenzori, and Karamoja regions.
• Advocate for reforms in domestic work laws and employment policy.
• Strengthen private sector engagement for sustainability and compliance.

6. Conclusion;

In 2024, PLA demonstrated unwavering commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of Uganda’s most vulnerable and marginalized workers. Through strategic legal aid, grassroots empowerment, and collaborative partnerships, the organization made tangible progress in addressing systemic injustices in the world of work.

Despite challenges such as limited institutional funding, PLA remained resilient, securing new partnerships and funding, and laying the groundwork for future expansion and sustainability.

As PLA looks ahead to its 25th anniversary and the development of a new five-year strategic plan (2025–2030), it remains steadfast in its mission to build a just society where economic rights and social justice are upheld for all workers.

For more comprehensive information, please download the full report.