EDITOR: I was shocked to read your September 8 article titled "Police Shoot Dead Three Hoima Tobacco Workers Striking Over Unpaid Salaries". According to the article, the workers were shot during a sit-down strike.

A day before, I had watched news on TV in which employees of Uganda Sugar Corporation were severely beaten and injured by the Police during a sit-down strike. This reminded me of how African employees were tortured by their white employers during apartheid in South Africa.

In Uganda, however, it is not apartheid; employers are suppressing the rights of the workers who are even poorly paid. Why should the employer call the Police to force employees to work when their salaries have not been paid?

I appeal to the Uganda Federation of Employers, workers unions and workers' MPS to design policies that will protect the rights of workers and their employers. This will enhance information sharing and creation of proper channels for handling grievances.
Everest Turyahikayo
Kampala