The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) intensified its nationwide campaign to expand social security coverage by targeting Uganda’s informal sector, urging employers and self-employed workers to embrace voluntary saving as part of efforts to secure their financial future.Speaking during a meeting with local government leaders and labour inspectors from western Uganda, newly appointed NSSF Managing Director Patrick Ayota said the Fund was working across the country to improve compliance with the NSSF Act while encouraging workers outside the formal employment sector to begin saving.
Ayota revealed that about 1.7 million members had accumulated approximately Shs18.5 trillion in savings with the Fund. He noted that while workers in the formal sector continue to contribute through the mandatory arrangement of 5 percent from employees and 10 percent from employers, Uganda’s biggest opportunity for growth lies within the informal sector.He explained that nearly 7.5 million Ugandans working as boda boda riders, farmers, traders, artisans and in other informal businesses remain largely outside the national savings system. Under the amended NSSF Act, such workers are allowed to save voluntarily, contributing any amount they can afford.Ayota emphasized that low income should not discourage people from saving, noting that many Ugandans earn less than Shs250,000 per month but can still build meaningful retirement benefits through consistent contributions.
He said every contribution matters and grows over time through investment returns.The NSSF Managing Director further said the Fund aimed to reach at least 50 percent of Uganda’s working population, arguing that stronger domestic savings would provide long-term capital for national development and reduce reliance on foreign borrowing. He urged citizens to view saving as an investment in both their personal future and the country’s economic growth.Western Regional Manager Lawrence Tumwebaze observed that although many businesses are registered with the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), a significant number fail to remit NSSF contributions, file tax returns or fully comply with legal requirements. Labour leaders also called for closer collaboration between NSSF officials and district authorities to strengthen enforcement and improve compliance.
Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi encouraged district leaders and labour officers to work closely with NSSF to identify non-compliant employers and promote a stronger saving culture across the country. She also warned public officials against accepting bribes to underreport employee numbers, saying such practices deny workers their rightful benefits and cause financial losses to the government. At the time, NSSF had 17 branches, 1.7 million members, and was targeting Shs50 trillion in assets while significantly expanding coverage among Uganda’s working population
