By Silvia Nyambura
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) through its annual Torch Awards has awarded cash prizes of Ushs 80 million to 5 socially responsible projects from across the country. This is in line with the Fund’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
This year’s winners included Kyamaleera Women Handicraft Association from Western Region, Rachelle Comprehensive Secondary School from Northern Uganda, Pearl Foundation for Children and Widows from Eastern Region, Child Care and Rescue Program from Central Region. They were awarded cheques worth Ushs 15 million each.
The overall winner for the National Award was 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation, a project aimed at educating vulnerable children. They received a cheque of Ushs 20 million.
Speaking during the hand over event in Kampala yesterday, NSSF MD Richard Byarugaba said, “As a fund, we are committed to building relationships with the communities in which we work and become part of the Ugandan story. Over the years, we have received numerous proposals and heartbreaking requests to sponsor the less fortunate. This was the genesis of Torch Awards through which we dedicate a growing amount of money every year to support vulnerable causes.”
This year, the company received over 300 applications. According to Byarugaba, this number grows year on year. The fund will consider growing the amount of money available for such projects as demand increases.
“NSSF Torch Awards have provided a platform for individuals and institutions with life changing projects in education, health, the youth and other disadvantaged groups to bring them to fruition. We believe in playing our part to transform communities,” he added.
Giving her keynote address, Uganda’s First Lady and MP for Ruhama County Janet Museveni said, “Government has made poverty reduction its key focus areas. In fact, over the last few years we have been able to bring down by half the number of poor people in line with the Millennium Development Goals. It gives me great joy to see organizations like NSSF taking efforts to address the less fortunate. Companies must learn to mix their business objectives and partner among themselves to uplift the standards of living for the disadvantaged.”