The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has officially launched its Livelihoods Support Project in Otuke District, aiming to extend social security coverage to workers in Uganda’s informal sector. This ambitious initiative is designed to address the gap in social security coverage, especially for workers who are currently outside the formal system.
The Livelihoods Support Project is part of a broader strategy by NSSF to recruit at least 50% of Uganda’s working population into the social security net by 2035. It will initially be piloted in four districts: Otuke and Lira in Northern Uganda, Kayunga in the Central region, and Sheema and Mitooma in Western Uganda. If successful, the project is expected to expand to other regions, bringing more informal sector workers under NSSF coverage.
Speaking at the launch event, an NSSF representative emphasized the critical role this project will play in improving the financial security and livelihood of informal sector workers, stating, “We believe that by recruiting more Ugandans into social security, we can significantly enhance their financial resilience and contribute to the broader goal of economic empowerment.”
The informal sector in Uganda employs a large portion of the population, yet many workers lack access to any form of social security. This project aims to address this by providing workers with a reliable mechanism for saving for the future, ensuring financial stability during retirement or in times of hardship.
The project comes at a crucial time as Uganda continues to make efforts to formalize its largely informal workforce. It is expected to not only contribute to individual financial security but also promote national economic growth through improved savings.
Residents in the pilot districts, including Otuke, have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that it will open up new opportunities for savings and long-term planning. One community member shared, “This is something we’ve needed for a long time. Many of us work hard, but we don’t have savings to rely on in difficult times. Now we have hope.”
As the pilot phase progresses, NSSF will gather feedback from the communities to assess the impact of the project and make necessary adjustments to ensure its success. The Fund remains committed to achieving its strategic objective of bringing more Ugandans into the social security system, building a foundation for financial stability across the country.
