This meeting was organised as part of the PSI project "Promoting Transparency and Decent Work in Supply Chains in Electricity, Water and Waste Services in Sub-Sahara Africa" implemented in partnership with the German Trade Union Confederation DGB BW.

In the first session of the meeting, the research report commissioned by PSI and DGB was launched. The lead researcher Prof. Nuwagaba Alfred provided an overview of the research outcome. This included the challenges of PPPs in relation to accessibility and affordability to the general population. The report noted that PPPs do not achieve the social contract between the Government and her citizen due to its profit maximization aim. In addition, lack of transparency, corruption, and non-involvement of citizens in the PPPs process was cited. The meeting was graced with the presence of 10 media houses including both print and cable networks.

Affiliates who participated in the debate observed that PPPs had made electricity access quite expensive and unaffordable to the majority of the population. Lack of access to electricity was having a direct impact on climate change and the population resort to fossil fuel as well as deforestation as an alternative source of fuel, which has a significant impact on the climate. Government was encouraged to terminate the concession with UMEME at the end of 2025 when the contract expires. Lessons from the National Water and sewerage corporation could be used in the renationalization process of electricity.

In terms of the waste sector, affiliates encouraged the Government to put in place a system that will empower the cities, municipalities and local government to manage waste rather than outsource it. The launch of the report was covered by various local media, including the public opinion poll by PSI affiliates’ recommendations to end the concession with UMEME.

In the second session, the trade union leaders were taken through the qualities of good leadership within the context of successful project implementation, including coalition building to achieve effective project implementation.