NSSF recognises worthy causes with cash

July 25, 2017 in U by Editor

July 25—The National Social Security Fund (NSSF), currently holding assets of just over $2 billion, recently handed out a total of UGX80 million ($22,200) to community projects which were deemed outstanding and worthy recipients during its annual Annual Torch awards. 

Child Health Education Empowerment and Rehabilitation Uganda (CHEER) walked away with UGX20 million as the overall winner under the health category. CHEER Uganda offers support for rehabilitation of children with physical disabilities.

Other winners were Kyaninga Child Development Center from Western Region, Help Disabled Children Excel (HEDCHE) from Northern Uganda and Atrius Medicare from Central Region.

While presiding over the event, Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda said, “It is gratifying that entities such as NSSF are getting involved in supporting community projects, not just here in Kampala, but also across the country. Over the last three decades, the government of Uganda has implemented numerous projects, not only to uplift our communities from poverty, but also to empower them,” Dr. Rugunda said.

 NSSF managing director Richard Byarugaba said the awards are premised on the fact that as a socially responsible organisation, the Fund has a duty to contribute to the well-being of the communities in which it operates.

He said, “Our corporate social investment stems from our sustainable approach to doing business which involves being exemplary in our financial performance while at the same time setting high corporate social responsibility targets.”

The Prime Minister said the proportion of the Ugandan population living below the national poverty line dropped from 31.1% in 2006 to 19.7% in 2013, according to the 2016 Poverty Assessment by the World Bank.

Dr Rugunda said, “I am pleased with the transformation the Fund has undergone over the last six years. Most people do not realize that social security is a fundamental human right, as articulated in Article 9 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.”

He said under this Covenant, governments have an obligation in this area. Dr. Rugunda said initiatives such as the NSSF Torch Awards are a welcome supplement to government programmes to uplift the lives of people and help achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The Annual Torch Awards is an initiative by NSSF aimed at recognising individuals and institutions that are transforming their communities and making a positive impact in Education, Health, Youth and other Disadvantaged Groups as spelt out in the Fund’s Corporate Social Responsibility policy.