Proposed Bill Targets Unregulated Human Resource Management with Regulatory Council

Parliament has granted approval for the introduction of the private member’s Bill on Human Resource Management.

The proposed “Human Resource Management Professionals Bill” seeks to establish the Human Resource Management Institute, accompanied by a regulatory council. This council would be responsible for overseeing member registrations, enforcing ethical conduct among human resource management professionals, and implementing measures for addressing professional misconduct.

Hon. Margret Rwabushaija, the Workers’ Representative, stressed the pressing need for this legislation. Currently, there exists no legal framework to govern the human resource management function in Uganda. This regulatory gap has resulted in inconsistent standards and a rise in unprofessional behavior within organizational settings.

On August 23, 2023, Rwabushaija presented her motion to introduce the Bill during a plenary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa.

Rwabushaija underscored the global and regional trends, such as labor mobility and emerging opportunities, that mandate Uganda’s elevation of its workforce’s capabilities to maintain competitiveness.

She emphasized the evolving nature of human resource management both on a global and regional scale. This adaptability is vital to address changes in social, economic, legal, political, and technological landscapes. For instance, the resurgence of the East African Community has ushered in novel prospects, standards, and challenges, necessitating member states to fortify the expertise of their human resources.