Lira, Uganda | The Paramount Chief of Lango, His Royal Highness Eng. Dr. Michael Moses Odongo Okune, has issued a passionate call to Ugandans to end the culture of negligence he says is fueling injuries, diseases and deaths in workplaces and homes alike.
Addressing the nation ahead of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, which falls on April 28, the traditional leader warned that many hazards Ugandans face today are man-made – a result of poor design, carelessness and failure to prioritize human well-being.
He stressed that basic negligence, from dirty public toilets and broken roads to poorly built homes and unsafe office setups, is silently destroying lives across the country.
He noted that even those working in offices are not safe, facing serious risks from poor ergonomics, bad posture, inadequate seating and constant exposure to screens without breaks.
He said many workers silently endure backaches, eye problems and stress-related illnesses that could easily be prevented with better workplace design and awareness.
The Paramount Chief, himself a seasoned civil engineer, said Uganda must now treat workplace and home safety as a national emergency.
He argued that if engineers can calculate load capacity for bridges to prevent collapse, the same attention to detail must be applied to the design of homes, offices, roads and public facilities to protect citizens.
HRH. Eng. Odongo Okune also drew attention to the plight of aging parents and vulnerable family members, many of whom live in unsafe conditions or suffer neglect.
He emphasized that no amount of public piety can cover up domestic failure, warning that genuine care starts in the home, not the podium.
He challenged Ugandans to reflect on their private lives, warning that the mask of kindness worn in public must match the compassion shown to loved ones behind closed doors.
He stressed that ergonomics is not just about furniture – it’s about creating physical and emotional spaces where people can thrive.
This year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work will focus on how artificial intelligence and digitalization can transform occupational safety, a shift the Paramount Chief welcomed, but he warned that without human responsibility and moral commitment, no technology can fix cultural negligence.
He concluded with a rallying cry for every worker, employer, policymaker, and family to treat safety as a non-negotiable value, saying that “true development begins when people feel safe – not just in factories and offices, but in their own homes.”
Quick Take:
- World Day for Safety and Health at Work: Celebrated globally every April 28.
- 2025 Theme: “Revolutionizing Health and Safety: The Role of AI and Digitalization at Work.”
- Uganda’s celebrations led by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development.
- Focus: Building a strong culture of prevention against occupational hazards.
