The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) has received more than 200 entries for the various categories of the 2017 annual Torch Awards, the Fund’s flagship CSR initiative, which seeks to recognize individuals and institutions that are making a positive impact on communities.

NSSF Head of Marketing and Communication,Barbra Arimi said all the proposals submitted for this year’s awards have and will greatly impact on the lives of the underprivileged in communities across the country.

“The competition is tight but we have constituted a panel of competent judges who are evaluating the proposals from which the winners will be selected,” said Arimi.

The judges for this year’s NSSF Torch awards Project Category are; Noerine Kaleeba, a physiotherapist educator and co-founder of The AIDS Support Organisation, Hellen Akwi Wangusa, the former executive director, African Women’s Economic Policy Network and Edward Ssenyonjo, NSSF head of Risk.

While Joachim Buwembo, a senior journalist and now communications consultant, Sheila Kulubya, the communications and knowledge management specialist, World Bank Office Uganda and Victor Karamagi, NSSFpublic relations manager are the judges for the media category.

The Fund opened submission for proposals in the categories of youth, education, health, disadvantaged and media a month ago and Shs 80 Million will be awarded to the winning projects selected from across the country.

Arimi said the awards are premised on the fact that as a socially responsible organisation, the Fund has a duty to contribute to the well-being of the communities in which it operates.

“To date, over eight projects that have gone on to impact more on communities have been recognized and given financial support totaling to shs 150 million since Torch Awards inception in 2012,” she said.

Projects that have benefited from this initiative include 40 Days Over 40 Smiles Foundation (40-40), Childcare and Rescue Home (Makindye), Youth and Women Empowerment Foundation (Kabarole), Mbale Maternity Home, Kisozi Orphan Support Center – Gomba, Children of Uganda- Mukono, Kyamaleera Women Handicraft Association from Hoima,  Rachele Comprehensive,  Pearl Foundation for Children and Widows from Butaleja.

This year’s winners will be announced at a grand Finale to be held in Kampala next month.