By Nasser Kayanja
The State Minister for Finance in charge of Investment and Privatization, Evelyn Anite, has commended a new savings initiative aimed at enabling transport sector operators in the informal economy to secure their financial future through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The minister made the remarks while presiding over the launch of the Union Boda Safe Life NSSF Savings Initiative, a program designed to bring together boda boda riders, taxi operators, bus drivers, and truck drivers under a unified platform to benefit from structured savings.
Addressing the gathering, Anite said the initiative offers hope for workers in the informal sector who previously lacked access to organized retirement savings schemes. She noted that it is encouraging to see transport operators taking deliberate steps to plan for their future.
According to the minister, many people in the sector have traditionally worked without long-term financial security, making the new program an important opportunity for them to safeguard their livelihoods. She urged riders and transport operators to actively participate in the initiative, emphasizing that saving through NSSF can help secure their children’s education and support their personal healthcare needs.
The Union Boda Project Advisor, Fred Ssenoga, explained that the union intends to drive economic transformation within the transport sector by leveraging the large number of operators it represents. He said the union aims to use its collective strength to negotiate better opportunities for its members.
Ssenoga also revealed that the union is exploring plans to establish a dedicated banking institution for boda boda operators, which would further improve access to financial services for workers in the sector.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the United Boda Boda Initiative, Frank Mawejje, encouraged riders and other transport operators to take advantage of the savings program. He said the initiative is a unique opportunity to cultivate a culture of saving in an industry where financial planning has traditionally been uncommon.
Mawejje urged members of the transport sector to embrace the program as a pathway toward greater financial stability and long-term security.
