Change Maker, Advocacy and Social Justice

PLA Uganda's Change Maker, Advocacy and Social Justice program nurtures and works alongside communities where agents of change naturally emerge through our frontline interventions. Over the years, our peer educators, human rights advocates and paralegals have catalyzed the rise of 30 community-based organisations and groups, each leveraging timely local action to defend labour rights and champion social justice.

These groups include domestic workers, market vendors, former child labourers and survivors of violence, and people living with HIV/AIDS organising around shared experiences to drive transformative change.

Our program has contributed to leading civil society efforts on social security reform, labour law enforcement and policy advocacy that protects the rights of vulnerable and marginalised workers.

How Change Happens

Change happens at multiple levels — from the adoption of community by-laws on child labour, to influencing national pension regulations, strengthening business and human rights frameworks, and engaging in international labour policy platforms, including participation in the Pathfinder Initiative.

We use community-driven advocacy, coalition building, and public campaigning to amplify worker voices and promote rights-based reforms that address systemic inequalities in Uganda.

Key Advocacy Areas

• Leadership in the national minimum wage campaign
• Coalition building with civil society organisations
• Domestic workers' rights advocacy
• Occupational safety and health campaigns
• Engagement with international policy processes (ILO, AU, regional bodies)
• Strategic alliances with CSOs, trade unions, and global human rights partners
• Support to over 30 community-based change maker groups
• Digital-first advocacy and community storytelling
• Evidence-driven and community-led movement building