KAMPALA – The Judicial Training Institute together with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) have held a two-day training for Judicial Officers on reforms at the provident fund.
The training which took place at JTI in Kampala this week attracted more than 30 participants.
The JTI Executive Director, Justice Damalie N. Lwanga in her opening remarks, said that the sensitisation of Judicial Officers in matters of social security would enhance their capacity to adjudicate related disputes.
“It will also help them understand schemes like voluntary saving/contributions and its evolution in Social Security and other proposed reforms in the sector,” she noted.
Justice Lwanga thanked NSSF for their partnership with JTI and for fully sponsoring the training and commended the JTI team that participated in the organisation of the activity.
The Deputy Managing Director NSSF, Mr. Patrick Ayota, called on Parliament to expedite the amendment of the NSSF Act because of its provisions and incentives to encourage voluntary savings.
He also encouraged the Government to borrow domestically from saving schemes such as NSSF to enhance the Fund’s interest and also decrease on the rates that the Government has to pay to the foreign lenders.
The Corporation Secretary, Ms Agnes Tibayeita, said NSSF would ensure that all Judicial Officers are trained in this field because they have the jurisdiction, under the NSSF Act, to handle all matters in respect to compliance with the NSSF Act.
“You handle all matters that arise in your regions and are therefore best placed to have these sessions with us, so we can share knowledge, get feedback, and ensure that you have up to date knowledge on the matters prevailing in the social sector space.”
The training covered an array of topics including; an overview of NSSF in Uganda, proposed amendments to the NSSF Act (opportunities and constraints, stakeholders view on Social Security), Financial Literacy, Social Security (experience from the Bar), Compliance, Investigation and Whistle Blowers and Technology Innovation.
Closing ceremonies
The Ag Registrar, Magistrates Affairs and Data Management, Rosemary Bareebe, who represented the Chief Registrar, thanked the organizers for the successful workshop and the participants for actively taking part.
“After this awareness session, I believe that you are better placed to prioritise these matters. You have been appraised of your role and how you can make an intervention, so put what you have learnt into practice.”
She later awarded the participants with certificates of participation on behalf of JTI and NSSF.
The key facilitators included; H/W Moses Gabriel Angualia (Deputy Registrar Training), Mr Joseph Kalinaki (Legal Advisory Services Manager NSSF), Mr Alex Baganda (Assistant DPP), Mr Isaac Ogwang (Manager, Compliance and Litigation NSSF), Mr Horace Rwakabureete (Compliance Manager), Mr Michael Mugisa (Benefits Manager NSSF), Mr. Peter Mugenyi (Head of Operations NSSF) and Mr Tadeo Twahirwa (Senior Relationship Manager NSSF).
Background
NSSF’s partnership with JTI stems from a 2018 memorandum of understanding to create awareness about; the retirement benefits sector, the rights and obligations of the various stakeholders and the role of the Judiciary in the enforcement of the constitutional right to social security for all Ugandans.
