KAMPALA
Cabinet has appointed the pioneer Board of Trustees for the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF), signaling a definitive end to the decades-old non-contributory pension system.
The new board, which will be chaired by Mr. Stephen Emasu, is tasked with overseeing the transition of the country’s public service from a “pay-as-you-go” model to a contributory scheme starting July 1, 2026.
According to the minister of state for ICT Godfrey Baluku Kabbyanga, the board was approved during the Cabinet meeting on Monday. Kabbyanga said the move followed the enactment of the Public Service Pension Fund Act 2025, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at addressing the mounting pension arrears and the fiscal unsustainability of the previous system.
“While the non-contributory model served its purpose for decades, it has increasingly become unsustainable,” the minister said. “This law paves the way for a funded scheme for public officers, ushering in a new era of public pension management.”
The New Board
Steven Emasu will lead a nine-member team for a three-year term. The members include are Sarah Walusimbi, Kagere Ibrahim, Oculap Patrick, Asiimwe Alex, Bua Leku Victor, Ndagire Nsobya Jessica, Dr. Omagino Elizabeth, Tumwise Zadu
“Under the new law, public servants will now contribute a percentage of their monthly salary toward their retirement, with the government providing a matching contribution,” Kabbyanga explained.
According to him, this shift is expected to create a pool of investment capital similar to the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), while guaranteeing timely payouts for retiring civil servants.
It should be noted that previously, the government was using the Pay-as-you-go model where retirees were paid directly from government annual returns, but the model faced a lot of pressure due to increasing pension obligations and growing public service wage bill, prompting reforms.
The new system will officially commence on July 1, 2026, while the board will serve for a period of three years.
Uganda Heart Institute Board reconstituted
In the same sitting, Cabinet approved new nominees to the Board of the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI). The board, which will serve a four-year tenure, is expected to provide strategic oversight as the institute continues its transition toward becoming a regional center of excellence for cardiac surgery.
The new UHI board members include, Dr. Jelias Magara as the chairperson, Dr Charles Oyo Akiya, Dr Sarah Rosemary Byanyima, Prof Grace Ndezi, Rosemary Lwaru mutyabule, Dr John Omagino, Irene Lugayizi, Henry Dungu, and Joseph Mutasaga.
The minister said that the new board will enhance effeciency, strengthen research, training and access to specialized heart care.
The appointments come at a critical time when the UHI is seeking increased funding for its new facility at Mulago and expanding its reach to address the rising cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.
Sources at the Ministry of Public Service indicated that the boards are expected to be inaugurated within the coming weeks to begin their respective mandates.
