As we dive into Day 2 of #ACOA2025, we’re unlocking powerful perspectives from Africa’s top thought leaders in finance and governance. Every session today moves us closer to a more accountable, resilient, and prosperous Africa. #CreateValueforAfrica
Under the theme “#CreatingValueforAfrica”, this landmark event will highlight how professional accountants can innovate, collaborate, and lead to drive sustainable economic, social, and environmental transformation across the continent. Register now: https://t.co/yuCB0rwUs1
Stevens Mwanje, Chief Financial Officer, NSSF: Be very careful when borrowing money, and make sure you fully understand the terms. For example, if someone says they’re lending you money at 5%, it might sound low but always ask about the time frame. If it’s 5% per month, that adds up to 60% per year, which makes the loan extremely expensive. #NSSFCareerExpo
Stevens Mwanje, Chief Financial Officer, NSSF: Every time there is a promotion, go for it don’t compete with the guy who is already working. Cut unnecessary subscriptions and bills, set financial goals, review and adjust your budget regularly, get an accountability partner. If you have a debt and you get extra money, pay off the debt first before anything else.
Each time you delay with debt, you struggle with interest, more debt earns more interest.
While apportioning your income, spend 80% on essentials, 10% on savings and 10% on smart goals I.e something you want to do in the future. #NSSFCareerExpo
“Same Car Day”: To Be Vulgar or Not?
One of my friends in a WhatsApp chat group, was posting a comment about the maverick and headstrong Mr. Isaac Kimaze Semakadde’s horseplay. His importune spell check brought up the name Semakadde as ‘same car day’ – a tag that seems to have now become the latter’s moniker in this particular chat group. The recently elected president of the Uganda Law Society (ULS) has been in the news for the last few months for the right or wrong reasons, depending on the side of the divide you fall, and of course, your moral inclinations.
First, it was for his unconventional dress code and bid for the ULS presidency. He won the latter overwhelmingly, with his ‘bang the table’ slogan and appeal to a cross section of younger lawyers who seem to be cheesed off by their seniors in the legal fraternity. His victory also exposed a lot of the fraternity’s underbelly and a host of other perceivably irksome practices therein. But who doesn’t have an underbelly? So, we won’t venture there.
Having won the presidency, ‘Same Car Day’ then proceeded to make life uncomfortable for some members of the legal establishment. He poked the ‘sumsing sumsing’ of the Attorney General, The Chief Justice, a bevy of Judges, and the Director of Public Prosecutions. But most of his venom, was reserved for the latter, with strong hints of misogyny in his cannonade. Regardless of what he wanted to achieve, his message seems to have gotten lost in his choice of language. The newly installed president, with a small ‘p’, chose profanity as his modus operandi for addressing the inequities and disquietude in the legal profession.
For most ‘right thinking’ members of society, Mr. “Same Car Day” had crossed a red line. He had violated the socially acceptable canons of behaviour in the cultural and moral sphere of ‘polite society’. He had transgressed the acceptable codes of behavior in the public space. Those who have taken time to study the use of profanity know that it can be used as tool to exhibit feelings in different situations, be it to express joy, sorrow, anger, humour or even surprise. I first took academic interest in reading about the use of vulgarity as a tool at the time when Ms. Stella Nyanzi, of Makerere fame, breached the gates of civil discourse with her use of the genre. One thing is that profanity never ceases to shock and awe, but those who use it, run the risk of a) losing their message in the morass of their verbal broadsides and b) annoying the very people whose sympathy and support they seek, because it can be perceived as anti-social, harmful and abusive.
And thus, it seems, with the power of his ‘forked’ tongue, Mr. ‘Same Car Day’ had lost his mojo. In our chat group, some started asking ‘who grew him up’? Others opined that the ULS president lacked ‘empisa’, meaning that he was uncivil and crude. My own take was rather different. I argued that Mr. Semakadde, was the product of this very same vulgar/profane society - one that had lost all sense of shame, sanity and coherence. What was worse? Mr. Semakadde’s profanity, or the theft of drugs from hospitals? Was his profanity worse than the rape of the Constitution or the defilement of the courts and parliament? Was his vulgarity not at par with the grabbing of public land and the perfidiousness that had led to the loss of life in Kiteezi? While the mighty and powerful could get away with murder (read vulgarity) and still command a front pew in the Church or Mosque, Mr. Semakadde, was not going to get a free pass! That is because, in our culture, we don't talk about dry bones in the presence of old people.
However, to paraphrase Francis Imbuga (Betrayal in the City), when the madness of an entire nation disturbs a solitary mind, it is not enough to say that the man is mad. A community that has a selective approach to what is morally upright should not claim the right to be described as ‘polite society’ or eschew vulgarity, because it is, in essence, vulgar. We need to examine ourselves. To be vulgar or not, is not the question.
November 29, 2024
These awards demonstrate our commitment to transparency, responsible governance, and sustainable growth, reflecting our dedication to creating long-term value for our members and stakeholders. They are a true reflection of the rigorous standards we uphold in reporting, accountability, and impactful operations. We’re proud to lead by example, inspiring trust and setting benchmarks for excellence. #FiReAwards2024
The Fund took home the prestigious Gold Award for Integrated Report of the Year at the #FiReAwards2024 yesterday! We also led the way by winning in the Parastatals/GBEs and Sustainability Reporting categories, along with a special recognition certificate for Corporate Governance Reporting. A heartfelt thank you to all our members, NSSF staff, and our dedicated board for making this achievement possible!
Our cost of administration dropped to 1.00% of total assets in FY 2023/24, significantly lower than the regional average of 2.5%. We’ve become more efficient and are sweating the Fund’s assets even better. Hear all the details from our Chief Financial Officer, Stevens Mwanje, in this video. #NSSFPerformance #AMM2024
This morning, we take a snippet into our performance for the Financial Year 2023/24 ahead of the upcoming 12th Annual Members Meeting. Follow the conversation as we unpack what the Fund has been up to. #AMM2024#NSSFPerformance
Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium recently finished state-of-the-art renovations which include a retractable roof, a retractable field, and a 4-STOREY UNDERGROUND GREENHOUSE🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀 The new stadium has been compared to an air fryer with the roof closed. When the 12-time champions of Europe are not in action, the entire natural grass pitch is moved on segmented, hydraulic-powered platforms onto shelves in an underground greenhouse which is four storeys deep.
The underground greenhouse is equipped with ventilation, climate control, lighting, monitoring, and irrigation systems, ensuring optimal conditions for turf preservation and facilitating continuous maintenance without interfering with stadium events.
🔍 Unlocking Financial Wisdom: A Moment with the CFO of NSSF! 📊
🌟 We had the privilege of delving into the world of retirement planning with the Chief Financial Officer of NSSF, Stevens Mwanje.💼✨