Trade Union Transformation and Informal Sector Organising in Uganda: The Prospects and Challenges for Promoting Labour-led Development

Despite celebrations from governments, corporations and international financial institutions around increasing economic growth, the majority of world’s urban labour force continues to work under informal conditions, lacking enforceable contracts, adequate earnings, democratic representation, secure employment social protection. The pervasiveness globally has given rise numerous calls adopt a wider more diverse understanding what constitutes labouring classes is required organise them. Our case study assesses outcomes effectiveness sector organising in Uganda, focusing on transportation, market textile sectors. Drawing Guy Standing’s distinction between “business” “community” unions Benjamin Selwyn’s contrasting “capital-centred development theory” (CCDT) “labour-led development” (LLD), we argue that community unionist approaches are most effective addressing decent deficit economy. Simultaneously, trade face constant barriers successful economy cannot be easily overcome without changes structural conditions which union organisers must operate. KEYWORDS: Trade unionism; organising; labour-centred development; Uganda;