The story of Platform for Labour Action begins with its founder, Lillian Keene Mugerwa. Following a disturbing study on domestic work in Kampala interviewing over 600 households, the findings revealed "physical violence, sexual abuse, withheld wages, and psychological trauma" among domestic workers that weren't reaching policy discussions.
PLA was established in 2000 as a national civil society organization. Initially lacking funding and formal infrastructure, the organization grew through free legal aid, policy advocacy, child labor rescue initiatives, and HIV-positive worker empowerment programs.
A Leader of Compassion and Strategy
Mugerwa's leadership combined "compassion with strategic brilliance." She represented Uganda in Columbia University's Human Rights Advocates Program while maintaining focus on Uganda's informal sector justice work.
The piece emphasizes that "to build a movement, you need a community, family, friends, volunteers, and funders" while maintaining focus despite low visibility.
Honouring the Foundation
As PLA approaches global partnerships and celebrates 25 years, the organization honours Mugerwa's founding principles: that every worker deserves dignity, every voice matters, and every injustice demands action.
