I had almost given up when the LCV councillor of my area connected me to the URBRA for redress. I immediately lodged a complaint to the URBRA offices in Kampala complaining about my delayed retirement benefits

Mr Charles Buregyeya, 70, is a retired parish chief. He lives in Rwemihanga village, Buramba Parish Rubaya sub county Kabale district. Although he retired in 2003, he did not get his retirement benefits until 2018, when the Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA) intervened. He narrated his story to The Pensioners’ Journal

“I worked as a parish chief in different parishes of Kabale district for 25-years. After retiring in 2003, I started filling forms and submitting them to the office of the personnel officer demanding for my retirement benefits. I had almost given up when the LCV Councilor of my area connected me to Uganda Retirement Benefits Regulatory Authority (URBRA). I immediately lodged a complaint to the URBRA offices in Kampala.

About one year after lodging my complaint my retirement benefits were released. One bright day in 2017, a friend called and told me that he had seen information on the district notice board to the effect that my retirement package had been processed.

I thought it was a joke. I immediately travelled from my home located about 30km away from Kabale district headquarters and went to check on my bank account. I found that my retirement benefits of about Shs16 million was already on my bank account. If it was not for URBRA I think by this time I would not have received my benefits.

I am aware of about three retired government workers that have not received their benefits in his area and wonders why they have not petitioned URBRA despite his advice to them over the matter.

If I had not prepared for retirement while I was still working, I would have faced a hard time during the 17 years that I spent without receiving my benefits.

While I was still employed, I saved money and bought several pieces of land and engaged in commercial farming.

 I mainly grew climbing beans and irish potatoes. I used to harvest about Shs2m per season. I had also bought a plot where I constructed a commercial building and I would earn about Shs1.8M= per year.

My advice to those still working is that they should prepare for their retirement.

 I also advise government to ensure timely processing of retirees’ benefits.

Government should also consider lowering the retirement age from 60 years to 50-years so that the retired officers can adequately plan and invest while they are still energetic.

If any retired government employee has challenges with unpaid retirement benefits, they should petition URBRA for urgent intervention because the authority helped me when I was completely stuck almost losing hope of ever receiving my benefits.”