For much of Uganda's history trade union activities have been greatly shaped by national politics and by events external to the country's labour movement.
[2]: 66 The Uganda Trade Union Congress (UTUC), founded in 1955, was the country's first national centre.
The newly independent government was fearful of the infusion of Kenyan workers who were perceived to be militant and framed trade union law in ways which were considered more draconian than during the colonial period.
[4]: 32 During the second decade of the 21st Century, NOTU emerged as the largest national trade union.
While initially struggling to be relevant and undergoing significant internal divisions between 2000 and 2010,[5] by 2018 the confederation had absorbed unions which had broken away from rival COFTU and increased membership through organising.