The Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions- Uganda (COFTU) is a National Labour Centre/ federation of Labour Unions founded in 2003 and established by an Act of Parliament, the Labour Unions Act, in 2006. 

COFTU operates a National Secretariat in Kampala at its head office on 3A, 3rd Floor, Rovis Complex, Plot 49, Ntinda Road, Ntinda, Kampala.

Currently, COFTU has organised members in recognized and or registered workers' Organisations, national labour unions, professional bodies, workers associations, district workers’ Organisations and grassroots structures up to the village level, countrywide, representing workers from the public, private, formal and informal sectors.

Vision

A leading Labour federation in Uganda for a just and prosperous society with empowered workers.

Mission

To unlock the potential of Ugandan labour and advance the economic and social interests of workers by promoting a free Labour movement in a progressive and socially responsible manner.

Values

Integrity 

Upholding honesty, transparency and ethical behaviour, including interactions with members, avoiding conflict of interest, prioritizing members' interests above personal gain, ensuring fairness and equity in resource distribution, accurate communication and adhering to relevant laws

Justice and Equity

Ensuring fair treatment and opportunities for all workers. Advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions and equal opportunities regardless of gender, race or background. Promoting diversity and inclusion, and social justice.

Transparency and accountability

Promoting Open and Honest Communication between the unions and their leaders, regarding decisions, negotiations and actions taken, including holding ourselves answerable for the results of those decisions.

Solidarity and Member-centeredness

Fostering unity and mutual support among workers to achieve common goals, prioritizing members, understanding their needs and interests, ensuring that their voices are heard, advocating for policy actions that directly benefit members and equipping them with tools to actively participate in unions.

Efficiency and effectiveness

Implementing streamlined and effective policies, processes and procedures for handling negotiations, inquiries and grievances while embracing a culture of continuous improvement of union practices, strategies and operations are regularly evaluated and refined to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Monitoring and evaluating our performance periodically enables data-driven decision-making.

Flagship Programmes/Strategies

1. The ‘Go, Organize and Develop’ Agenda for the Workers: The core function for COFTU is to organise workers first and foremost into a strong, independent, united and democratic movement run for and by workers themselves.

2. Workers Labour and Productivity Institute: To empower workers with knowledge and various skills aimed at making them more productive, efficient and competent in their work and dedicated entirely to creating new competencies, attitudes, culture and practices of trade unionists and workers.

3. The Legal Aid for Workers Programme (LAWP): For the promotion and protection of labour rights of the vulnerable and marginalized workers through empowerment of communities and individuals in Uganda.

4. Programme for Economic Empowerment of Labour for National Transformation (PETWE): The PETWE program supports COFTU in empowering and transforming working people economically.

5. The Information and Solidarity Forum (ISF): Focuses on the dissemination of relevant information and promotes solidarity among workers

6. Social Security: The Social Security programme aims at advocating for comprehensive policies that ensure financial stability for workers during their time of employment and out of employment, illness or retirement.

7. Eliminating Child Labour: COFTU, in partnership with other development organisations drives awareness campaigns on the importance of education and the adverse effects of child labour on the well being of the child.

8. Maternal and Child Health: COFTU advocates for better healthcare access and quality services through advocating for more health workers.