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Geoffrey Waiswa Sajjabi
HEAD OF BUSINESS
Despite the effects of the pandemic and the escalating commodity prices on companies and individuals, we witnessed growth in both active contributors and contributions in most sectors.
The financial year ending 30 June 2022 was a mixed bag of fortunes largely underpinned by the continued effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on many sectors of the economy. Despite the opening-up of the economy, key sectors such as education, tourism and hospitality witnessed sluggish growth at the start of the year and only picked up towards year-end.
The Fund launched its new core Pension Administration System (OctoPAS) with anticipation of greater strides in self-service and member convenience although delayed stabilisation of the system had negative effects on the benefits turnaround time, compliance as well as contributions collections.
The escalating commodity prices witnessed towards year-end also had negative effects on voluntary contributions with members’ incomes unable to meet costs beyond subsistence. Voluntary contributors declined by over 70% while growth in value attributed to voluntary contributions declined by 53%. The escalating prices of fuel and other essential commodities negatively impacted companies and this in turn affected compliance levels across the sectors. The Fund also witnessed pressures related to midterm access as close to 40,000 members queued across the different touchpoints to submit their claims, and this too worsened the benefits turnaround time.
In response, the Fund put in place longer and more convenient payment plans for employers to enable them to meet their obligations without threatening the continued existence of their businesses. Companies that accumulated penalties, enjoyed waivers granted by the Managing Director (as mandated by the NSSF Act), and this significantly reduced their total obligations to the Fund.
We also undertook innovations in the processing of midterm claims with members being given the option of online application which greatly reduced the turnaround time and the pressure associated with handling huge numbers at the branches.
The Fund processed 22,010 midterm claims amounting to UGX 436Bn.
Despite the effects of the pandemic and the escalating commodity prices on companies and individuals, we witnessed growth in both active contributors and contributions in most sectors.
The education sector particularly registered an impressive growth of active contributors to 98,425 up from the lows of 69,974 registered in June 2021 while contributions grew by 19% ending the year at a monthly average of 14.4Bn up from 12Bn realised for the year ended 30 June 2021. The tourism and hospitality sector too registered growth in active contributors to 27,423 from 24,868 realised in the year ended 30 June 2021.
We also witnessed positive trends in the manufacturing, trade, agriculture, and mining sectors. We managed to collect UGX 1.499Tn against a target of UGX 1.5Tn, despite the enormous challenges encountered during the year.
We therefore start the new financial year with greater optimism. We anticipate continued improvements in the education sector and opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry.