Like all ethical employers, high standards are fundamental to G4S and have proven to be a market differentiator in many countries where it operates. 

This is certainly the case with G4S Uganda, which recently received Certified Membership from the International Code of Conduct Association (ICOCA). Of the approximately 300 security companies in Uganda, it is the only one to have achieved this.  

ICOCA is a multi-stakeholder initiative that devised and oversees the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers. The code is wide ranging but includes specific requirements around the vetting and training of personnel, incident reporting and working environments – all of which G4S Uganda has met and pledged to maintain. 

The code is designed to lower human rights risks and, in turn, lower operational risks.

Allen Ssebugwawo, Managing Director of G4S Uganda (pictured with Mohammed Samanya from the senior management team), says: “ICOCA are experts in human rights and private security, so we’re really pleased to have their seal of approval. Regardless of this accreditation, we are committed to upholding human rights because it is the right thing to do and will always put people first.”

Applying the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights

In Uganda and every other country it operates in, G4S applies the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011) across its key business policies and processes. In short, this means the company recognises it has a duty to ensure it doesn’t violate human rights through service provision, customers, suppliers, or the unfair or inappropriate treatment of employees and others in its care.

Led by its human rights policy and supporting framework, examples of wider G4S policies which protect and promote human rights include its ethics code, labour management standards and G4S supplier code of conduct. It also operates a global whistleblowing service called Speak Out, so that any concerns about unethical behaviour can be reported. All concerns are taken seriously and handled in confidence.

 

Risk mitigation at an employee and organisational level

Risk is another key consideration for G4S which is recognised, and mitigated, at an employee and organisational level, with every business assessed against a number of core standards including health and safety. In higher-risk countries, which Uganda is one, G4S also operates human rights controls, due-diligence frameworks and control self-assessments that are integrated into risk and compliance systems. 

Allen notes that reducing the risk of human rights breaches is becoming more of a focus for many clients as well. Global customers want suppliers to align with their own policies and large EU-based customers must comply with new legislation around corporate sustainability, requiring them to carry out due diligence on their own policies and that of their supply chains (Directive 2024/1760).  

G4S has operated in Uganda since 1998 and has a diverse range of clients, from oil and gas to food and beverage companies. It is also the country’s leading provider of diplomatic security. Many of its employees have been with the business for ten years or more, some for as many as 25 years.