Anti-Discrimination Policy

Waka Care Solutions is committed to ensuring that WakaHelper is a fair and inclusive platform for every Worker and Employer in Uganda. This policy sets out our zero-tolerance stance on discrimination and our obligations under Ugandan equality law.

This policy draws from Uganda’s Equal Opportunities Act 2007, the Employment Act 2006, and the Constitution of Uganda 1995 (Article 21), which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on specified grounds.

1. Protected Characteristics

Discrimination — whether direct or indirect — is prohibited on the basis of any of the following characteristics:

• Sex or gender
• Age
• Tribe, ethnicity, or national origin
• Religion or belief (or lack thereof)
• Disability or chronic illness
• HIV or other health status
• Pregnancy or maternity
• Marital or family status
• Political opinion
• Social or economic status

2. Prohibited Conduct for Employers

When posting a job listing or evaluating Workers, Employers must not:

• State or imply a preference for a Worker of a specific tribe, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation;
• Refuse to consider a Worker solely on the basis of a protected characteristic listed above;
• Ask a Worker about their HIV status, pregnancy status, marital status, or religious practices as a condition of employment;
• Offer materially different pay or conditions to Workers performing the same role on the basis of sex, age, or tribe; or
• Terminate an employment contract because a Worker is pregnant or has disclosed an illness.

Exception — genuine occupational requirement: In a limited set of circumstances, a particular characteristic may be a genuine requirement of a role (e.g., a family may require a Worker who speaks Luganda as the primary household language, or whose religious practices are compatible with a household of a specific faith). Such requirements must be clearly stated, proportionate, and directly linked to the nature of the job, not to personal preference.

3. Prohibited Conduct for Workers

Workers must not:

• Discriminate against Employers on the basis of tribe, religion, or any protected characteristic when choosing whether to apply for a role or accept an offer; or
• Use discriminatory language in messages or reviews toward Employers or other Workers.

4. Job Listing Review

Waka Care Solutions reviews job listings for discriminatory content. We will remove or require amendment of any listing that:

• States a preference for a Worker of a specific tribe (“must be Muganda” type language);
• Sets an arbitrary age ceiling unrelated to the physical requirements of the role;
• Requires a Worker to disclose HIV status, pregnancy, or religion as a condition of application; or
• Uses language that is demeaning toward any class of Worker.

5. Discrimination Complaints

If you believe you have been discriminated against on the WakaHelper platform:

1. Report the specific listing, message, or profile using the Report button; or
2. Email trust@wakahelper.com with a description of the incident, the username(s) involved, and any supporting screenshots.

We will acknowledge your report within 24 hours and investigate within 5 business days. If the complaint is substantiated, the offending content will be removed and the offending user will receive a warning, suspension, or permanent ban depending on severity.

6. External Redress

If you are not satisfied with our response, or if you wish to pursue a formal complaint, you may contact:

• Equal Opportunities Commission Uganda (EOC): Plot 7 Nile Avenue, Kampala. Tel: +256 414 341 413.
• Labour Officer, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development: For employment discrimination complaints.

7. Consequences for Violations

Employers who violate this policy will have their job listings removed and may be suspended or permanently banned from the Platform. Repeat violations will be referred to the Equal Opportunities Commission.

8. Contact

Discrimination concerns:
Email: trust@wakahelper.com