MBALE – A major industrial park in eastern Uganda, the Sino Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, has put its emergency response procedures to the test with a large-scale fire drill. The exercise, involving its thousands of employees, comes as the park continues to grow, attracting both local and international businesses.
The industrial zone, part of the Tian Tang Group, is home to over 60 enterprises and employs close to 10,000 people. This significant workforce makes robust safety measures a key priority for the management.
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Dan Akampulira, Head of Safety for the Tian Tang Group, told the BBC News that the drill was crucial to ensure the well-being of their staff. “This exercise allows us to test our systems and ensure that our employees know what to do in an emergency,” he said. “The safety of our team is our top priority.”
The fire drill, which took place ahead of World Day for Safety and Health at Work and World Labour Day, was overseen by local police fire officer SP Rashid Kamayo and safety consultants from the Center for Occupational Safety Uganda Limited (COSH). Their role was to assess how effective the current safety protocols are and to identify any areas that could be improved.
Mr Kamayo noted the scale of the industrial park, stating, “This park is vast. It should hold annual fire drills. This was the first, and we have identified critical safety areas.”
Isaac Rugaba, CEO of COSH, praised the Tian Tang Group’s proactive approach to safety. “Conducting such drills shows a responsible attitude towards the health and safety of their workers,” he commented. “It gives a valuable chance to see what works well and where more training and resources might be needed.”
During the exercise, consultants observed how smoothly evacuation procedures went, whether designated meeting points were clear and accessible, and how effective communication was. Badru Ssenfuka, a chief consultant from COSH, noted the positive engagement of the workers and the cooperation from the management.
The drill also involved checking the availability and accessibility of fire safety equipment, such as extinguishers, and whether employees knew how to use them. While the exercise highlighted existing safety measures, it also pointed to potential improvements, such as clearer signage and more frequent refresher training.
Steel Plant’s “Zero Compromise” Approach
Within the Sino Uganda Mbale Industrial Park is UNISTEEL, a steel production facility where the inherent risks of the industry have led to a “zero compromise” safety philosophy. The company says it has maintained a strong safety record since it started operating, which it attributes to daily safety briefings, the provision of comprehensive protective gear, and thorough equipment training.
Okia Micah, a crane operator at UNISTEEL, explained the strict pre-shift checks. “If there’s any sign of electrical instability, we stop operations immediately until it’s fixed,” he told our reporter. “No load is moved without someone on the ground to guide, and we use alarms and radios to stay in constant contact.”
For minor injuries, UNISTEEL has on-site first aid, while more serious cases are quickly referred to nearby hospitals. Workers at the plant say they have several ways to report safety concerns, including a dedicated office and weekly meetings with senior management.
Ayub Mugudwa, a General Supervisor at Unisteel, said, “At Unisteel, safety is our top priority. We have daily safety training, which has helped reduce accidents. Every worker gets PPE to protect them from hazards like chemicals, electricity, and machinery. We also have an office to support injured employees and make sure they get the medical help they need. Besides general safety training, we also have specific training for different factory jobs.”
Bikala Hashim, Manager at Tianao Furniture, another company in the park, also emphasised the importance of safety due to their large workforce. “We give all our employees the necessary protective equipment and have monthly fire drills for both new and long-term staff,” he said. “We also have safety committees made up of workers themselves, so any safety issues are dealt with quickly. To prevent people from working too much, we have different shifts and limit working hours to eight per day.”
The Tian Tang Group says that worker representation through factory safety committees ensures that any concerns are heard and acted upon by management. “Our investors prioritise worker safety,” said Mr Akampulira. “If we find any safety gaps, we take immediate action to fix them.”
He added that many companies in the park aim for safety standards that go beyond what is required by Uganda’s Occupational Safety and Health Act of 2006.
“While being efficient is important for business, it will never be more important than the well-being of our workers,” Mr Akampulira concluded, highlighting the balancing act that all industrial operations face. The focus on safety at the Sino Uganda Mbale Industrial Park suggests a long-term view, where a safe workforce is seen as crucial for sustainable growth and productivity.
