TRADE unions have been urged to train their members in leadership and management skills in order to strengthen the labour movement.

"What is killing the labour movement is that many of the leaders do not have leadership and management skills.

"That is why issues that can be solved as they crop up, erupt into riots later on," Mugalu Kamya, the commissioner for labour and industrial relations, said.

Mugalu also challenged unions to share information with all members.

Mugalu was presiding over a training workshop for the newly elected trade union leaders, organised by the Uganda Hotels, Food Tourism and Allied Workers Union at the Grand Imperial Hotel in Kampala.

The leaders were taught managerial skills, including how to handle conflicts and help members resolve problems with employers amicably.

"A good leader should be able to model the people he leads with a clear vision. In case things are not moving on well, you should challenge the process to enable others retract the process," Mugalu said.

He challenged unionists to promote hard work and productivity as they demand better remuneration.

The union general secretary Stephen Mugole, urged the Government to ratify the Domestic Workers Declaration Article 189 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

"The ILO convection emphasizes the need to fight discrimination of employment and occupation.

"Domestic workers will have equal treatment with other workers. Domestic workers never get to know how many hours they are entitled to given the special characteristics of domestic work," he said.