Kapeeka industrial park workers have decried the poor working conditions and low pay they are subjected to.

The workers acknowledged that the Kapeeka Industrial Park had its advantages, such as job creation for many; however, they continue to face obstacles and needed President Museveni to intervene.

During an interview with a Nexus Media reporter on September 28, 2024, a worker from one of the industries in Kapeeka Industrial Park who preferred anonymity said that they are over exploited by their employers, yet the pay is little.

The worker also said the labour force in some factories is still low, yet the jobs are available, and all this is because of the low salary they are paid.

’’We wake up so early and leave late in the night at around 9:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m., yet we are paid as little as 7,000–8,000 UGX per day, which is not fair,” the worker revealed.

He added that they are overworked and not given breaks while working, which is not good for their health. The worker revealed that they are not allowed to use the toilets, and once you do, you are not allowed back to work for the day.

The worker disclosed that some of the employers do not allow the workers to stay with their mobile phones while working, so in case there is an emergency at home, they cannot help their loved ones.

However, despite these shortcomings, other workers revealed that the Kapeeka Industrial Park has brought positive change in the area.

Suzan Namale, a worker with Dembe, a distributor for dried and processed fruits like the Kapeeka dried mango slices, said that there is a lot of market for the goods produced at Kapeeka Industrial Park since they export globally, which is good for the economy.

She also revealed that most of the youth who did not go to university or did not even go to school have been given jobs in various industries, adding that there’s no segregation in job opportunities.

’’Most employers in various factories do not mind whether you went to school or not to give you a job, which is good because those who did not go to school also get a chance to have a job and money in their pockets,’’ Namale disclosed.

She added that the roads in Kapeeke have improved and some are under construction, all thanks to the Kapeeka Industrial Park.

While the Kapeeka Industrial Park has indeed contributed to job creation and local economic development, the grievances of workers underscore a critical need for better labour practices and fair compensation in order to ensure sustainable growth and employee well-being.