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Mukono, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Eighteen workers who sustained serious injuries from a fire that broke out at Landy Industries in Mukono district are demanding compensation.
The factory manufactures Plastic shoes, Sandals, boots, and health sandals. The fire broke out after an explosion was heard in the factory.
Vicky Akello, 19, from Pader District in Northern Uganda, was among the workers who survived with severe injuries. Akello recounts that as the flames and heat intensified, she struggled to breathe due to the smell of the burning plastic materials.
“Whoever was in contact with the chemicals got burnt, and fainted. We regained consciousness while at a clinic where we were rushed,” she recounts.
According to Akello, the workers were assigned to clean the conveyor machine in the Lasting Department. She says that the machines were turned off, but they were unexpectedly switched on.
Akello says that the standard procedure is to power off all machines whenever the conveyor machine is being cleaned. However, the machine was switched on, without warning to Akello and her colleagues, sparking off fire.
Akello explains that after she was discharged, she was given painkillers for the first week, but despite her continued complaints of pain, the company did not offer any specialised treatment.
Cecilia Auma, 21, also sustained serious injuries in the face, neck, and left hand.
According to Akello and Auma, they each received a medical allowance of 20,000 Shillings from the company, which was deducted from their salary.
Another survivor, Esau Mugisha, 23, sustained injuries on his face and left hand during the incident.
He says that he has since been denied proper medical treatment and he is struggling to claim compensation because the company does not provide formal contracts to its workers.
Henry Ashaba, 23, says that he has been suffering from dizziness, headache, and body pain.
Samuel Masika, the Human Resource Manager at Landy Industries-New site, declined to comment on the matter. He instead threatened to take legal action against any factory employee who shared details of the incident with the media.
“The workers were ‘mature enough to endure pain’ and the factory has no contracts with them since they are just casual workers”, Masika said.
Richard Ssemanda, the area councillor of Nama Sub County, explains that companies deliberately avoid giving workers contracts to escape compensation when accidents occur.
Namawojjolo Parish Chairperson, Charles Lwanga, says that leaders are often blocked from inspecting factories to ensure that employers adhere to the safety of the workers.
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