Workers seeking to access 20 per cent of their savings from National Social Security Fund (NSSF) will have to wait longer to get the money after Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah on Thursday directed that all Bills passed by the 10th Parliament but not assented to by the President be tabled afresh.
The NSSF Amendment Bill 2019 is among the Bills that will be retabled alongside The National Health Insurance Bill, the Sexual Offences Bill, the Succession Bill, The National Health Insurance, The Fisheries Amendment Bill 2020, and National Climate Change Bill 2020.
Oulanyah said Rule 235 of the Parliament’s Rules of Procedure provides that a Bill, petition or motion or other business before House or committee lapses upon resolution of Parliament.
“Business of the 10th Parliament that remained incomplete lapsed when the term of Parliament ended. Any member or government who has desires of having business of the 10th Parliament that wasn’t completed by the end of that Parliament should have the business reintroduced in the House and the business shall begin afresh,” he said.
He added: “Let us get busy with not merely business that regulate lives of people, but also facilitate the enjoyment of their rights.”
The NSSF Bill 2019 (Amended) had endorsed a proposal to allow savers who clocked 45 and had saved for 10 years to access 20 per cent of their savings.
After nearly six months of back and forth with workers and managers of the fund, President Museveni agreed to assent to the Bill with amendments. He is, however, yet to return the Bill for reconsideration.
Kira Municipality MP, Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda accepted the guidance, adding that notwithstanding, the businesses lost like the NSSF Act are so dear to the public and should be reinstated soon.
“By your guidance, we are in trouble because there are many things that have been completed by the last Parliament towards the end…one of them is the NSSF Bill; I don’t know how many people have called me and they are waiting to go and benefit from the mid-term access,” said Ssemujju.
Good to see that on table again!.ln the state Ugandans are!??,we need serious helping.We are vulnerable and in total dilemma.We have lost jobs which means no source of income,yet school fees will be needed.The art of giving 20% to people above 45years and those ones that have saved for more than 10yr .This is A big disappointment and it does not yield the valve of saving!!??.Let us hope that people involved we have caring heart to the savers.