In Uganda, the social protection discourse has been developed around the idea of risk and vulnerability.

The National Social Protection Policy (NSPP) of 2015 views social protection as a basic service and human right

and provides a basis for a holistic approach to addressing the risks and vulnerabilities faced by different categories of the population including informal economy workers. The policy recognises that the low income of especially informal economy workers cannot enable them to meet their basic needs and limits their ability to save or contribute for future social security. It also notes that the social protection options available for the formal economy workers are unavailable to informal economy workers. These include services provided by the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), selected provident funds, and social health insurance schemes that are contributory, public service pension and other such schemes that are non-contributory, as well as maternity benefits, workers compensation against accidents and occupational safety and health which is intended to protect them against hazardous conditions of work.