The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has launched a strengthened whistleblower platform aimed at identifying employers who fail to remit workers’ savings, signalling a new era of tougher enforcement against defaulters.
The upgraded system rolled out under the campaign “Protect Your Future”, allows workers and labour inspectors to confidentially report companies that withhold or delay mandatory NSSF contributions. The Fund says the move is designed to increase compliance, safeguard workers’ retirement benefits and close the persistent gaps caused by non-remitting employers.
NSSF Managing Director Patrick Ayota said the whistleblower mechanism is part of a broader strategy to expand social-security coverage and restore trust among workers.
“To create the willingness to save, we must strengthen the ecosystem that supports voluntary and mandatory contributions. This platform gives workers power to speak up and ensures employers meet their obligations,” Ayota said.
The new platform enables anonymous reporting through a secure web interface, protecting the identity of whistleblowers. Labour officers across the country will also use the system to flag contractors and companies that consistently fail to remit savings on time.
Once a complaint is filed, the Fund will first give employers an opportunity to voluntarily clear their arrears. However, those who ignore warnings or refuse to comply will face strict enforcement actions.
NSSF says the next phase of the campaign includes firmer legal measures against chronic defaulters which include prosecution of employers who repeatedly fail to remit contributions, recovery of arrears with interest, naming and shaming companies that deliberately hold back workers’ savings, and expanded audits and compliance inspections for high-risk employers
The Fund emphasised that contribution remittance is a legal requirement and warned that the days of silent non-compliance are over.
Defaulting on NSSF contributions remains one of Uganda’s biggest labour rights concerns. Workers lose years of savings due to employer non-compliance, while the Fund’s ability to support long-term payouts is weakened.
By empowering workers to report defaulters and tightening enforcement mechanisms, NSSF hopes to strengthen savings culture, improve pension sustainability and deter misuse of employee contributions, especially in sectors prone to labour violations.
NSSF is now urging workers to verify their contributions regularly and immediately report employers who fail to remit on time. The Fund has also encouraged companies to update internal payroll systems to ensure full compliance with the law.