The Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund, Patrick Ayota, has unveiled an ambitious plan to double the fund's membership from 3.5 million to seven million by 2030 as the institution intensifies efforts to expand social security coverage and modernise service delivery.
Ayota announced the target while addressing suppliers and stakeholders at the NSSF 2026 Suppliers Forum, an engagement centred on the fund's long-term transformation agenda under what he described as "Vision 2030."
He said the strategy will be driven by technology, innovation, accountability and stronger partnerships with service providers as the fund positions itself for sustained growth.
"What we want by 2030 is to grow our membership from about 3.5 million members to 7 million members," Ayota said.
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The announcement comes as NSSF faces growing pressure to extend coverage to Uganda's largely informal workforce while maintaining public confidence in the management of workers' savings.
Ayota emphasised that safeguarding contributors' funds remains the institution's core mandate alongside ensuring long-term value preservation.
"The money you save today will still be there in the future and its value will have been preserved," he said.
He added that one of the fund's primary responsibilities is guaranteeing financial security for members throughout their working lives and into retirement.
Ayota noted that trust remains central to the sustainability of any pension scheme, saying contributors will only continue saving if they are assured their funds are secure.
The NSSF chief also disclosed that the fund is investing heavily in digital transformation to improve efficiency and customer experience by reducing delays and bureaucracy in service delivery.
"We are diversifying and embracing technology and innovation in everything we do," he said.
He said the ongoing digital shift would play a critical role in helping the fund achieve its expansion targets over the next five years.
Ayota further challenged suppliers and contractors working with the fund to uphold professionalism, reliability and accountability, warning that poor performance by service providers directly affects institutional efficiency.
"When somebody says they will supply something and they fail to deliver, it affects the institution," he said.
He stressed that suppliers play a critical role in shaping members' experiences, making their performance central to the fund's overall success.
Ayota said NSSF is strengthening internal systems and tightening accountability mechanisms to improve performance across departments and partnerships.
He noted that the transformation agenda requires alignment from all stakeholders, including suppliers, to ensure successful implementation.
According to Ayota, many suppliers engaged by the fund are also contributors, creating what he described as a shared responsibility in safeguarding the institution's performance.
He also indicated that NSSF is exploring diversification of investments and operations to enhance long-term returns for members.
Ayota warned that institutions that fail to innovate risk becoming irrelevant in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven financial environment.
"We want to build an institution that is responsive, modern and capable of meeting the changing needs of members," he said.
He added that innovation is now a necessity rather than an option for large financial institutions seeking long-term relevance and sustainability.
Ayota said the fund will continue investing in systems that strengthen service delivery while improving support for businesses and suppliers working with NSSF.
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He also highlighted the importance of collaboration between government agencies, the private sector and service providers in advancing Uganda's social security agenda.
He said achieving the Vision 2030 targets would require collective effort and stronger institutional partnerships.
Analysts note that reaching seven million members by 2030 could significantly expand Uganda's social protection coverage, particularly among informal sector workers who remain largely outside formal pension systems.
However, they caution that the expansion will require intensified public sensitisation, stronger employer compliance and sustained trust in the fund's governance systems.
Ayota reiterated that NSSF remains committed to protecting members' savings while building a modern institution capable of supporting Uganda's long-term economic development.
He said the fund's future success will depend on innovation, accountability and consistent value delivery to members and stakeholders.
