This year’s submissions included successful stories ranging from investments in agriculture, Information technology, medicine, tourism, real estate, education and lifesaving investments.
Three contestants stand to walk away with UGX55 million in total prize money in the grand finale of the second edition of NSSF Friends with Benefits next month.
Launched in October last year, the giving back show seeks to inspire both existing and potential members, especially the younger generation, to save for their retirement.
The NSSF Friend with Benefits is a financial literacy campaign aimed at promoting a savings and investments culture among Ugandans. It profiles former NSSF members who received and invested or used their NSSF benefits to improve their livelihood, those of their families and even the communities they live in.
Over 170 people applied for the NSSF Friends with Benefits campaign second edition. However, these had to go through tough screening in order to select the best 16 with life changing stories.
The Top 16 successful stories were aired in compelling TV shows as winners were selected through voting by the public and an expert panel of judges. Three winners will then be rewarded with a total of UGX55million to further improve their lives.
This year’s submissions included successful stories ranging from investments in agriculture, Information technology, medicine, tourism, real estate, education and lifesaving investments.
READ: Nine eye NSSF Friends With Benefits big cash prizes
The nine selected from a list of over 170 applicants, are competing for a grand prize of UGX55 million. The ultimate winner will receive UGX30 million while the first and second runners up will receive UGX15 million and UGX10 million, respectively.
The finalists include Judith Sheenah Komuhangi, Nabendah Wamoto, John Byabashaija Suubi Akula, Boniventure Rwakira, Mary Naikumi and Alice Arinaitwe, Plus James Ajal, Hannington Nkayivu.
Wamoto, who is contestant number 1, says he used his benefits to treat his son Noah who was involved in an accident and underwent a spine surgery. Suubi, who is contestant number 2, used his benefits to restore his eyesight and invest in boda boda business to help him sustainably manage his medical condition. Contestant 3, Bonaventure, bought land using his NSSF benefits and set up a nursery and primary school in Kabale district.
Mary, who is contestant number 4, says she needed urgent medical care for life threatening breast cancer, she also constructed a house for her family from her Benefits
Alice received her benefits after retiring from Aga Khan Primary School where she was teaching. She opened her own school, AMCA Pre-School and Day Care Center, in Bukoto. She is contestant number 5.
Judith Sheena Komuhangi, contestant number 6 used the money to pay part of her treatment. And also started Magnus MediTourism, an organization that helps people with life threatening diseases to seek medical treatment abroad.
John used his NSSF benefits to buy three acres of land where he put up a banana plantation. He also invested more in his shoe making business. He has turned his shoe business into a training centre to share his skills with students from all over the country.
James, an engineer who is also contestant number 8, received his age benefits from NSSF and bought land because he felt it was not a very risky venture. He then planted trees and also put up a kraal with an initial 17 heads of cattle. The animals have multiplied to over 100.
Alice Arinaitwe said: “The experience was very interesting as you get to meet different new people with different experiences which you learn from, and also being exposed to the whole campaign system and what it comes with.”
“The whole campaign was fine, but the challenge came in when it reached time for collecting votes. Many people do not know what NSSF Friends with Benefits is about, so they just couldn’t vote before you deeply explain to them.”
The final winner of the second edition of giving back competition will be announced on Thursday, March 22.
Following the inaugural campaign held last year, the Fund registered a significant increment in its Voluntary saving plan with over 400 people joining the plan and shs670, 000,000 collected between the months of September and December when the TV show aired.
At the end of the first campaign, 95% of interviewed Ugandans showed more willingness to save for their retirement.
Over 500 submissions were received in the first season and Harriet Balyama emerged winner of the campaign, walking away with shs30m which she used to complete construction of rental units.