Uganda’s National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has revamped its online whistleblower portal to make it easier for members to report employers who are not following the rules. The goal is to increase the compliance rate from the current 57% to 60% in the financial year 2023/24. The Managing Director, Patrick Ayota, believes this move will help the fund grow its assets by Shs2tn by 2025.
The upgraded portal comes with new features, including an option for complete anonymity to protect whistleblowers and an automatic tracking system for reported cases. Government labor inspectors can now also report contractors who aren’t contributing to the fund as required by the new NSSF Act.
Ayota advised caution, urging people not to use the platform to settle personal disputes with their employers, as false reporting could lead to criminal consequences.
According to Ayota, out of 36,426 registered employers, only 20,762 are actively contributing to the fund. This means over 15,000 employers are not following the rules and are not properly contributing to their employees’ retirement savings. On average, only 107 cases are reported each month.
The process involves an investigation when a case is reported. Employers are given a chance to comply and resolve the issue if the allegations are proven true. If they refuse to cooperate, legal action, including prosecution and penalties, can be taken.
Over the past two years, the fund has recovered about Shs9bn through legal action, with over 390 cases currently in progress. Ayota expects the new whistleblower platform to aid in recovering even more funds.
Ayota emphasized that the NSSF is a secure and dynamic social security provider, aiming to ensure a return of at least 2% above the 10-year inflation average. The fund’s assets under management have increased from Shs17.26 trillion to Shs18.56 trillion, and they have set an ambitious goal to reach Shs20 trillion by 2025.
The fund is regulated by the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority, with policy oversight from the Minister of Gender, Labour & Social Development and the Minister of Finance, Planning & Economic Development. Members can access the portal through the official NSSF website.
