By Sadique Bamwita
ENTEBBE
In its efforts to enhance adjudication of matters related to social security fund, the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has collaborated with the Judicial Training Institute to train Judges and equip them with knowledge on legal aspects the saving scheme encounters.
The Executive Director Judicial Training Institute, Hon. Lady justice Damalie Lwanga, believes that the training is vital in that it will enable judicial officers to effectively handle matters regarding social security fund. She made these comments while addressing judicial officers and members of National Social Security Fund who convened in Entebbe on Thursday August 8, 2024.
Hon. Lady Justice Damalie Lwanga, said the training comes at the time when there is need to equip judicial officials with skills and knowledge regarding social security matters.
‘This training has come at the right time when judicial officers need to be equipped with the knowledge regarding the operation of the saving scheme and the legal issues it faces. Remember matters of this nature come in court hence a Judicial officer requires knowledge on the Law governing social security fund and the amendment of the NSSF Act 2019. This interaction with NSSF officials will help to enhance skills of our judicial officials in adjudication of social security matters,” she said.
Before adding that, “Social security is globally recognized as a right and one has a right to social security. And besides social security matters, this training would also help judicial officials understand the voluntary saving scheme.’
The senior manager Mandatory Business at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), Mr. David Rwamatungi, highlighted that Judiciary is a critical force in handling social security matters and that training judicial officers would greatly enhance their capacities in adjudication of social security matters.
“This collaboration is important in that there is work under legal framework and that once one deviates from this framework the judicial process takes effect. So, it’s important for our judicial officers to understand the social security system in the country and that’s the reason why we have trained them today. The dialogue began in 2019 after realizing the legal framework was changing. The NSSF Act was amended and provided a new platform. Therefore, it’s important for the legal fraternity and the Judiciary to understand the new legal framework we are operating in at the moment.
‘In a month, members contribute around Shs.175 billion to NSSF and compliance of registered members stands at 57%. However, we need every person to ensure 100% compliance in order to be in position to provide reasonable social security to the people,’ he said.
Mr. Rwamatungi revealed that out of 2.3 million registered members, only 0.8 million people are active members, something he says has affected their vision 2035 of covering 50% of Uganda’s population.
“Currently, we have 0.8 million members on our portfolio who receive monthly contribution on their accounts. We call for efforts to promote social security and it’s important for every member to join us in this journey. We need every Ugandan on board.
“At least 70% of our clients access our services online and for those who can’t use online services, we have outlet centers where they can access our services physically.’
The NSSF Corporation secretary Agnes Tibayeita Isharaza, emphasized that training judicial officials on matters of social security scheme would help them to expeditiously handle matters related to none remittance of employees’ savings by some none compliant agencies.
“This training would enable Judges or magistrates to handle matters related not sending contributions to the fund, sending wrong contributions, and deducting employees’ contributions and not sending them to the saving scheme. The employer is supposed to contribute 10% while the employee 5% to the saving scheme.
On the issue of a member accessing his savings from NSSF she said:
“If a member makes 55years is entitled to access his or her savings. A member who is 50years but out of employment for a year is entitled to his or her savings. A member who is 45years and has been contributing to the scheme for 10years qualifies to access his/her savings. A disabled member who is 40years and has been contributing for the last 10years is also entitled to access his savings.
‘In case of invalidity due to accident and a member is unable to work and save qualifies for his saving benefits but this is subject to medical review. A member who has been working in private sector and joins government qualifies to get his or her savings. A member who leaves his or her country to work abroad qualifies to access his or her savings and lastly survivors in case a person loses his/her life the beneficiaries can access his or her savings.’
Mrs. Agnes Isharaza further revealed that government is finalizing a regulation on voluntary members under the custodianship and oversight of the Ministry of Gender and that once the ministry gazettes the regulation, there will be a provision under which voluntary members can access their savings and that will not necessarily be the same as Mandatory members.
“Under this regulation we target the informal sector. We shall engage them on how they can register and access their funds or savings, ‘Mrs. Agnes Isharaza noted.
