Partnerships
The Ministry of ICT and National Guidance has strengthened its staff's financial literacy and long-term financial planning capacity through a three-day workshop on financial literacy and wealth creation, conducted in partnership with the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
Held from 4–6 February 2026 at the Ministry headquarters, the training was part of the Ministry’s broader commitment to staff welfare, capacity building, and sustainable livelihoods beyond active service. The workshop equipped staff with practical knowledge on saving, investment, retirement planning, and responsible financial management.
Opening the training, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Aminah Zawedde, emphasised the importance of financial discipline among public servants, noting that personal financial stability contributes directly to productivity and improved service delivery.
She encouraged staff to adopt intentional and consistent saving habits, stressing that saving should be treated as a priority rather than something done only after expenses are met. According to Dr. Zawedde, effective financial planning supports not only individual well-being but also family stability, health, and education outcomes.
Participants also benefited from a motivational session by Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Asan Kasingye, who shared insights from his transition from public service to private enterprise. He reflected on founding a private security company in 2023 with 20 employees, which later grew to over 600 employees.
Drawing on his experience, AIGP (Rtd) Kasingye encouraged staff to prepare early for life after public service, emphasising the value of discipline, delayed gratification, and seizing opportunities as they arise. He also advised staff to utilise formal savings and investment instruments, such as NSSF schemes, unit trusts, and government treasury bills and bonds, as part of a diversified financial plan.
The technical sessions were facilitated by the NSSF team, led by Mr. Apollo Mbowa, Financial Literacy Manager at NSSF, who cautioned participants against lifestyle inflation and excessive debt. He emphasised that financial security is built through sound habits and skills, noting that skills remain a reliable form of security even when financial resources fluctuate.
Mr. Mbowa further encouraged staff to explore ethical income-generating activities while still in service and reminded participants that earning money is different from managing and sustaining wealth over time.
The workshop also covered practical aspects of personal financial planning, including budgeting, retirement preparedness, and understanding employee benefits. Participants were introduced to the NSSF Smart Life Flexi programme, which allows members to make voluntary savings in addition to mandatory contributions, enabling them to better prepare for future financial needs.
The Under Secretary, Hajjat Sophia Nantongo, reinforced the importance of planning, cautioning staff that when they fail to plan, others often end up deciding for them. She urged participants to align their financial goals with personal and family responsibilities to secure long-term stability. “Start saving now,” she said, challenging staff to see saving not as a one-off decision, but as a sustained, lifelong commitment.
Beyond the expert facilitation, participants shared practical reflections from the training. Ms Harriet Kanyesigye, a Procurement Officer, pointed to clear personal takeaways. “The training reinforced the importance of saving, planning early for retirement, and building meaningful relationships even beyond active service,” she noted. She stressed that financial preparedness is not just about income, but also about foresight, networks, and deliberate long-term personal development.
Mr Jude Tegwa, a security officer, echoed the theme, emphasising the need to prepare intentionally for life after retirement. “I learnt to do things that will sustain me after retirement, like saving, managing money, and spending wisely after saving,” Mr Tegwa said.
By the end of the three-day engagement, staff had gained practical financial management skills, enrolled in voluntary saving programmes, and renewed their commitment to taking charge of their financial futures.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to promoting staff welfare and empowerment through targeted capacity-building initiatives and strategic partnerships that enhance professionalism, productivity, and sustainable livelihoods.
Feb 10, 2026