NSSF at 30: A night down memory lane

From the music, the rhetoric and the audience, one thing was clear; the National Social Security Fund 30th anniversary dinner at Kampala Serena Hotel on Tuesday was a night of recollections.

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It was a night to celebrate the body's past milestones and pave way for the future. President Yoweri Museveni's sense of humour made up for the long wait.

He lightened up the hall bringing life to the audience as he tipped the NSSF board on some investment ideas.

He asked the fund to tap into the money from the Ugandans in the diaspora. "You can liberate these people from their relatives who eat their money. NSSF can build houses and sell to them."

"These people have suffered and some of them have ended up giving up on doing any investments here. I told them I will link them up with you, which I have just done," he added.

President Yoweri Museveni poses for a photo with NSSF EXCO members at the event

 
But for those that have been looking forward to the liberalisation of the social security sector, this may not be happening soon or you might need to come up with better strategies to convince the President.

For no one, as he stressed, has given him a convincing argument as to why NSSF should not monopolise this sector.

The current asset base of over sh6 trillion grown over the 30-year period has been a combined contribution of different personalities as was revealed by the fund's boss, Richard Byarugaba.

The event that kicked off with a cocktail was well-served with food and refreshments.

The guests were treated to a variety of drinks that flowed endlessly. It was also a night to reward some people who have shaped NSSF in the past 30 years.

 

Awardees

Anthony Butele: He was the minister of labour who tabled the NSSF Bill to parliament on November 22, 1984 paving way for an autonomous body.

Kafumbe-Mukasa: The then Member of Parliament for Mpigi Central who proposed the second reading of the 1984 NSSF Bill.

James Marcus Rwabeire- Baira: The pioneer managing director of the NSSF helped set up systems and structures that would help it function as an autonomous body.

Charles Okwiri: The NSSF board chairperson appointed in 1998 who steered the construction of Workers House that had stalled due to disagreements between the fund and the contractors. The building has since become in landmark in the city's skyline.

Gerald Sendawula: The Minister of finance at the time of the transition of the fund from the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to his Ministry is credited to have helped in ensuring a smooth and effective transition.

Dr Ham Mulira: He was recognised for providing independent consultation, input, analysis and direction on the successful implementation of the project.

Former minister Ham Mulira receives an award from President Museveni for his contribution to NSSF

Martin Bandebiire: On two occasions, he is credited for having held the fund together as acting managing director after the suspension of the then boards, managing directors and their respective deputies.

Vincent Ssekkono: He was appointed board chairperson in 2009, a time when the fund was emerging from a crisis. He is celebrated for having ushered in stability and a culture of transparency and good corporate governance.

From left, John Baptist Kakooza, former NSSF corporation secretaty, Leonard Mpuuma, former NSSF MD and Abel Katembwe, who is also former NSSF MD mingle during the celebrations

NSSF MD Richard Byarugaba hands over an artistic impression of the Pension Towers to President Museveni during the event

President Museveni hands over an award during the colourful night

Leah Namutebi, the Human Resource manager of Fresh Cuts, receives an award on behalf of Fresh Cuts from NSSF MD Byarugaba

 

 

Theodore Group from France entertains guests