*Ministry of Public Service Equips 50 Officers with Specialized Skills in Pension Fund Design, Governance and Management* The Ministry of Public Service has organized a specialized certification course in Pension Fund Design, Governance and Management for 50 selected officers drawn from various Ministries, Departments, Agencies and District Local Governments. The training, which is being conducted from 11th to 15th May 2026 at Lake Victoria Serena Hotel, Kigo, brings together participants from institutions including the Ministry of Public Service, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, Uganda Registration Services Bureau, and selected Local Governments, among others. The course is being delivered by a Joint Venture of BDO East Africa Advisory Services Limited, as the lead firm, and Ruparelia Consultants Limited, as the joint venture partner. It is intended to equip the selected officers with the necessary knowledge, skills and professional mindset required to effectively support implementation of the ongoing Public Service Pension Reform. The specialized training comes at a critical time when Government is transitioning the Public Service Pension Scheme from the traditional non-contributory arrangement to a funded contributory pension system under the Public Service Pension Fund Act, 2025. The reform is aimed at strengthening the long-term sustainability of pension financing, improving governance, enhancing accountability and securing the retirement benefits of public officers. While opening the course, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Service, Mrs. Catherine Bitarakwate Musingwiire, described the training as a critical milestone in the country’s journey towards structural reform of the Public Service Pension Scheme. She noted that the Ministry is committed to ensuring that public officers are not only well prepared for the upcoming reforms, but are also technically equipped to lead and manage them effectively. According to the Permanent Secretary, the training is a deliberate strategic investment by the Government of Uganda to ensure that the architects and managers of the Public Service Pension Scheme reform acquire world-class competencies in pension fund design, governance and management. She emphasized that a funded pension scheme can only succeed if it is supported by strong governance, technical competence and professional accountability. The Permanent Secretary further observed that the Technical Working Group and the potential transitional team must move beyond basic administration and become experts in areas such as investment and portfolio management, actuarial mechanics, fiduciary oversight, risk management and pension fund governance. She noted that the course had been designed to bridge the gap between policy intent and operational excellence. She commended the Joint Venture of BDO East Africa and Ruparelia Consultants for developing a technically robust inception report and for designing a practical, professionally oriented programme. She said the blend of local advisory experience and international actuarial expertise was exactly what the Ministry required to navigate the complex transition to a contributory public service pension scheme. In his communication to the participants, the Commissioner Compensation and Task Manager for the reform, Mr. Victor Bua Leku, welcomed the participants to the specialized certification course and encouraged them to take full advantage of the opportunity. He implored them to appreciate the pension-related skills being imparted, noting that the course is specialized, highly relevant and much sought after.Mr. Bua emphasized that the training was not an ordinary workshop, but a certification programme intended to develop a competent technical team capable of supporting the implementation of the Public Service Pension Fund. He urged the participants to fully engage with the facilitators, participate actively in group work and prepare personal notes on the key learning points. The course is structured as an examinable certification programme. Participants are expected to attain a minimum of 80 percent attendance, covering the full training schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendance is physical, and virtual participation is not permitted. The Permanent Secretary stressed that the attendance threshold is non-negotiable and that only participants who satisfy the required standards will qualify for formal certification. In addition to attendance, participants are expected to take part in daily case study group discussions, complete daily quizzes for four days and sit a final examination on the fifth day. A minimum score of 60 percent is required in both the daily quizzes and the final examination. Participants will also undertake an immediate post-training assessment using a standard template to be provided by the facilitators. The training programme further requires participants to complete a pre-course quiz to enable the facilitators to plan and tailor the sessions more effectively. Participants have also been advised to come with personal laptops to support learning, case study analysis and practical exercises during the course. The Permanent Secretary challenged the selected 50 officers to treat the training as a serious professional assignment and not merely as a routine capacity-building activity. She described them as the core technical engine of the reform and urged them to internalize the training modules, challenge the trainers, engage with case studies and develop the capacity to interpret actuarial valuation reports, policy briefs, investment management concepts and risk management frameworks. She further noted that the success of the Public Service Pension Reform will depend heavily on the expertise developed through the training. According to her, the knowledge gained by the participants will be central to ensuring that the reform is implemented in a technically sound, transparent and sustainable manner. The certification course is expected to deepen participants’ understanding of pension fund design, governance structures, trustee responsibilities, investment management, actuarial principles, risk management, compliance and member-centred administration. These are key areas required for the effective establishment and operationalization of the Public Service Pension Fund. By investing in this specialized training, the Ministry of Public Service is positioning the selected officers to become champions and technical resource persons in the implementation of the Public Service Pension Fund. The training is also expected to promote professionalism, accountability and institutional readiness as Government moves towards a more sustainable contributory pension system. The course was officially declared open by the Permanent Secretary, who called upon participants to use the opportunity to sharpen their expertise and contribute meaningfully to the success of the Public Service Pension Reform.
