Patrick Ayota

Behind every record is a person. For an institution, a missing document may be an information problem. For a member preparing to retire, it could mean uncertainty about their future.

At the EDRM Conference, I shared how NSSF’s journey from paperless operations to an intelligent workplace is helping us serve members better. We have digitised over 36 million documents, while our average benefit payment turnaround time has reduced from 13.1 days in 2021/22 to 4.5 days in 2025/26.

That progress required committed leadership, strong partnerships, people willing to embrace change and implementation one step at a time.

As we adopt AI, the quality of our records becomes even more critical. An answer is only as reliable as the information behind it. Records professionals must therefore be part of the conversation from the beginning.

My challenge to leaders is simple: start with one service problem, establish clear ownership, test carefully and let the evidence guide your next step.

The true measure of an intelligent workplace is the confidence people place in the institutions that serve them.

#EDRMConference2026 #IntelligentWorkplace

Every child deserves an environment where they can learn, grow and dream big. That is what brings us together for the @nssfug Kampala Hills Run.

It is heartwarming to see a programme that began with schools in Kampala now reaching communities across Uganda. Working with district leaders and headteachers has helped us extend our reach, and there is room to do more.

By bringing alumni, parents and friends of these schools into this effort, we can improve more classrooms and create better learning environments for our children.

I also encouraged us to nurture a savings culture early. Setting aside even UGX 5,000 a month for a child is a practical step towards preparing for their future. Small, consistent contributions can create lasting change.

For me, the NSSF Kampala Hills Run is an investment in our children and Uganda’s future.

Join us on 6 December at Kololo Independence Grounds. Dial *217*277# and get your kit at UGX 35,000.

Special thanks to @mtnug @clarkson1958 @housingfinanceU @goldstar_gsi @aquafina @nbsport.

#NSSFKlaHillsRun

Listening to our members has changed how we do things at The Fund.

When members told us that registering for Smartlife Flexi involved too many steps, we took that feedback seriously and worked to simplify the process.

For me, customer centricity means listening, acting and making it easier for members to save.

Today, I engaged our media partners on the Fund’s performance for the Financial Year 2025/26 and the progress we are making towards Vision 2035.

The year marked the beginning of our new 10-year strategy and delivered strong results, supported by steady economic growth, contained inflation and improved regional equity markets.

Our performance highlights include:

• Assets under management grew by 26%, from UGX 26 trillion to UGX 32.8 trillion, strengthening our position as East Africa’s largest social security fund by assets.

• Total income increased by 85%, from UGX 3.5 trillion to UGX 6.51 trillion.

• Member contributions grew by 13%, from UGX 2.13 trillion to UGX 2.42 trillion.

• Benefits paid increased by 17%, from UGX 1.32 trillion to UGX 1.549 trillion.

We also continued to improve the experience of our members. Benefits payment turnaround time reduced from nearly two weeks in 2022 to just 4.5 days, while customer satisfaction increased to 89%.

Our commitment to prudent cost management remained firm. The cost-to-income ratio improved from 7.9% to 7.7%, while the cost of administration declined from 0.88% to 0.84% of total assets. Our asset allocation also remained within the Fund’s long-term strategic ranges, balancing responsible risk management with sustainable returns.

Beyond our core mandate, the Fund contributed UGX 301.5 billion in taxes during the year. Smartlife Flexi, our goal-driven voluntary savings plan, also registered more than UGX 180 billion in contributions within 20 months, helping members save towards investment, financial independence, education, emergencies and housing.

These results are underpinned by an engaged team, with staff engagement rising to 93%, well above the African benchmark.

This performance gives us a strong platform for future growth, strengthens our resilience and reinforces our ability to create sustainable value for members as we execute Vision 2035.

The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Henry Musasizi, will announce the new interest rate at the 14th Annual Members Meeting on 24 September 2026. I encourage all our members to register and participate.

A career abroad should not only provide an income today; it should also help build lasting financial security for tomorrow.

On 12 September, I engaged Ugandans living, working and studying in Kenya during the Uganda Diaspora Business Forum in Nairobi. Our discussion centred on a shift from simply sending money home to deliberately building wealth back home.

This means converting earnings into savings, property, businesses, education and retirement income. Through solutions such as Smartlife Flexi, Ugandans abroad can save towards their goals from as little as UGX 5,000, with the flexibility to determine how much and how often they contribute.

We also listened to the genuine concerns that come with investing from a distance, including fraud, land disputes and difficulties managing property or businesses remotely. Addressing these concerns requires trusted institutions, transparent solutions and stronger connections between the diaspora and opportunities in Uganda.

I thank the Uganda High Commission in Nairobi and our partners for convening this important engagement.

Wherever you earn your income, you can begin preparing for a better life back home.