HR Professionals Rallied on Robust Governance and Ethical Labor Practices

Human Resource Professionals in the  Non-profit landscape have been rallied to demonstrate robust governance and ethical labor practices to maintain public trust and effectively execute their mandates.

The call was made at the NGO HR Summit, hosted by BrighterMonday Uganda in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation.

According to sector players, The non-profit landscape in Uganda is undergoing a fundamental transformation, driven by evolving regulations, shifting funding models, and the urgent need for sustainable impact.

These called for Human Resource to transition from being a function of administration to a strategic pillar of organizational resilience.

Xenia Wachira, from BrighterMonday Uganda, highlighted the market imperative for professionalizing the sector’s talent management practices.

Delivering his key note address, Commissioner Zakari Kansiime emphasized the government’s perspective on a stable civil society and the need for NGOs to demonstrate robust governance and ethical labor practices to maintain public trust while executing their mandates.

He applauded the partnership and called for stronger systems to support decent employment.

“Our shared challenge and opportunity is to convert our young population into a productive workforce,” Kansiime said.

He urged NGOs to uphold labour standards, especially during operational disruptions, “Compliance may stop work temporarily, but fairness must never be restricted. Employers should maintain open communication with staff and avoid arbitrary decisions.”

Emily Aneno Byaruhanga, Chairperson of the NGO HR Network, highlighted the changing demands of HR leadership and workplace culture.

“Performance management shouldn’t just be ticking boxes. It should be conversations of mentorship and leadership.”

She added that mental health must now be treated as a priority in NGO workplaces.

“Mental health has ceased to be a background issue. Staff well-being is now a boardroom matter. Let us create cultures where people look forward to coming to work.”

Byaruhanga challenged HR officers to be accessible and progressive.

“Young HRs are not the next leaders — they are current leaders. Rise up and speak the language of the business,” she said.

Pamela Kabahesi, BrighterMonday Uganda’s Country Programme Lead, elaborated on the importance of preparing NGO workplaces to be attractive and supportive environments for the new generation of job seekers.

“How do we work together to solve the employment challenge for the youth, but also ensure that the youth we place in employment are dignified and fulfilled?” Kabahesi said.

“Employment is not just about wages or having an address. It must have a face a dignified and fulfilling one.”

She stressed the importance of nurturing young talent and supporting graduates to build careers that allow them to grow into leadership roles.

The day concluded with a high-impact panel discussion on Crisis and Change Management.

These shared real-world strategies on how HR leaders can guide organizations through political shifts, public health crises, and funding volatility.