NWSC Managing Director, Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, has challenged employees to prepare for retirement long before their final day at work, emphasising financial literacy, entrepreneurship, discipline and continuous skills development as essential ingredients for a successful transition from formal employment.
Dr. Mugisha made the remarks during a Retirement Meet and Greet organised by the Human Resources Directorate at the International Resource Centre (IREC) in Bugolobi.
The event, spearheaded by Director Human Resources Ms. Eunice Alanyo, brought together staff who retired between January and July 2026 to celebrate their years of service and share practical guidance on navigating life after retirement.
Dr. Mugisha commended the Human Resources Directorate for the initiative and called for greater emphasis on preparing employees for retirement while they are still in active service, particularly through financial literacy programmes.
“Invest in unit trusts, bonds and NSSF so that you are able to get the maximum benefit from the money you have,” he advised.
He noted that sound financial decisions made during one’s working years can provide greater security and independence after retirement.
Central to his message was a simple formula for success, which he summed up in the acronym HEND – Hard Work, Entrepreneurship, Networking and Discipline.
He explained that hard work builds resilience and creates opportunities for growth, cautioning staff against relying on shortcuts to achieve success.
Entrepreneurship, he said, allows individuals to create additional sources of income and build investments that can continue generating returns beyond formal employment.
Dr. Mugisha also highlighted the value of building the right networks, noting that meaningful professional and personal relationships can open doors to opportunities, knowledge and collaboration.
Discipline, he added, provides the foundation needed to manage resources, maintain focus and exercise the self-control necessary to achieve long-term goals.
Beyond HEND, the Managing Director identified time management, integrity, consistency, a positive attitude, empathy and teamwork as important attributes for both professional and personal success.
Turning his attention to the retirees, Dr. Mugisha thanked them for their contribution to NWSC over the years and recognised the different roles they had played in the Corporation’s growth and service delivery.
He reiterated NWSC’s commitment to recognising long service, noting that qualifying employees who retire after serving the Corporation for at least 25 years are entitled to lifetime medical care for themselves.
Retirement, however, does not necessarily mark the end of their relationship with the Corporation.
Dr. Mugisha told the retirees that their experience and institutional knowledge remain valuable to NWSC, describing them as a “reserve task force” whose expertise may still be called upon when needed.
Staff with specialised skills, he explained, could be engaged on special contracts where their knowledge and experience are required by the Corporation.
For employees still in active service, his message was equally clear: remain relevant, continuously develop specialised skills and start preparing for retirement early.
“Learn how to make yourselves special, but largely prepare for retirement,” Dr. Mugisha said.
His message underscored the importance of viewing retirement not as an abrupt end to one’s professional journey, but as a transition that requires deliberate financial planning, continuous learning and preparation for new opportunities.
