NSSF extends deadline for all employers to register with the Fund

The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has extended the deadline for all employers to register their workers with the Fund.

Initially the deadline was April 28, 2023, but according to NSSF acting Managing Director Patrick Ayota, this has now been extended to June 28, 2023, following a request by employers.

“It’s now 9 days to the end of the period that we extended to non-compliant employers. However, we were implored by some employers to extend the registration deadline. Today we announce a 60 days extension, with the new deadline being 28th June 2023,” he said on Wednesday, 19 April 2023.

“I call upon all unregistered employers across the country to take advantage of the extension to regularize their status with the Fund to avoid penalties. This is an opportunity for every employer to support their staff to retire with dignity,” he said.

Ayota was speaking at Fine Spinners (U) Ltd in Bugolobi, Kampala, where the Fund was promoting the registration drive dubbed “Now You Can.”

Ayota, who was accompanied by Betty Amongi, the minister of Gender, said the registration drive is already bearing fruit.

“It’s now 9 days to the end of the period that we extended to non-compliant employers. However, we were implored by some employers to extend the registration deadline. Today we announce a 60 days extension, with the new deadline being 28th June 2023,”

NSSF acting Managing Director Patrick Ayota

“As you recall, on 28th March the Fund launched a mass registration drive dubbed ‘Now You Can’ aimed at registering all employers in Uganda, irrespective of the number of workers employed. This was done in line with sections 7 and 13 of the NSSF Act as amended,” he said.

“Honourable Minister, I am glad to inform you that as of today over 1,468 employers have so far registered with the Fund since we launched the mass registration drive. This drive is a multi-stakeholder initiative by various partners,” he added.

Ayota reported that they have partnerships with most

Government agencies to ensure that employers regularise their status with NSSF before they do business.

“Additionally, we are engaging all regulatory agencies to ensure that entities are compliant before licensing,” he added..

Minister Amongi promised to support NSSF in its campaign.

“As the largest social security scheme in Uganda, NSSF must take the lead in recruiting all eligible working Ugandans into the social security net. The new law has expanded the social security landscape and empowered the Fund to innovate and introduce new products,” she said.

“We will work closely with NSSF to ensure seamless implementation of the registration drive in government, all registered companies, partnerships, trustees, governing bodies, subcontractors, and factories, among others.  Finally, I call upon all eligible employers to take on this opportunity and register their employees before the revised deadline, whose countdown commenced on 28th March 2023,” she added.

Sections 7 & 13 of the NSSF Act as amended provides for mandatory contributions for all workers regardless of the size of the enterprise or the number of employees.

The NSSF (Amendment) Act 2022 seeks to expand social security coverage, enhance the spectrum of benefits available to savers, and improve the governance of the Fund. All employers, irrespective of the number of staff they employ, must make mandatory NSSF contributions for their staff members. These include small and large companies with permanent or temporary staff, casual and subcontracted staff, partnerships, among others.