NIC Life Uganda: Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme Payout for Sadiq Bakole

• NIC Life Assurance, in partnership with Spades Insurance Brokers, paid Shs30 million to the family of Sadiq Bakole, a Ugandan migrant worker who died in Dubai.
• Bakole, 30, from Arua, died in December 2025, just one month after arriving in Dubai, having enrolled in the Uganda Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme (UMIS).
• The UMIS offers up to Shs50 million in benefits, including death compensation, repatriation, and burial expenses, for a premium of Shs250,000 over two years.
• NIC Life CEO Anthony Lubandi advocates for mandatory insurance for all Ugandan migrant workers, citing the scheme's affordability and critical benefits.
• Since its introduction two years ago, the UMIS has registered about 4,500 workers and paid out over Shs276 million to families.

Anthony Lubandi, the CEO of NIC Life Assurance, has strongly advocated for the Ugandan government to implement mandatory insurance for all its citizens seeking employment opportunities overseas.

NIC Life Assurance, in collaboration with Spades Insurance Brokers, recently disbursed a Shs30 million compensation to the family of a Ugandan migrant worker who tragically passed away in Dubai. The deceased, Sadiq Bakole, a 30-year-old from Arua, had been in Dubai for only one month when he died in December 2025. This payout represents a crucial benefit from the Uganda Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme (UMIS), which Bakole had enrolled in prior to his departure.

Chris Ssengendo, the Managing Director of Spades Insurance Brokers, confirmed the payment during a press briefing held at NIC headquarters in Kampala. He emphasized that NIC Life, as the insurer, and Spades Insurance Brokers were legally bound by regulatory authorities to fulfill their commitment. Ssengendo expressed satisfaction that contact had been made with Bakole's family and the compensation successfully processed, highlighting the scheme's operational effectiveness.

Bakole's family recounted his journey, noting he had spent approximately five years working in South Sudan before seeking improved prospects in Dubai. His elder brother, Sadiq Bakit, shared the family's profound shock at his unexpected death, especially as they had anticipated his financial support. Bakit explained that NIC Life officials later reached out to them, informing them of the existing insurance policy that Bakole had secured.

The Uganda Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme (UMIS) is designed to provide comprehensive financial protection for Ugandans working abroad. Officials detailed that the scheme offers up to Shs50 million in total benefits, which encompass compensation for death, the costs associated with repatriating a deceased worker's body, and burial expenses. Beyond these critical provisions, the UMIS also extends coverage for injuries sustained, cases of permanent disability, and critical illnesses, offering a broad safety net for migrant workers.

To access these vital Uganda Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme benefits, individuals are required to pay a premium of Shs250,000, which covers a two-year period. This translates to an affordable monthly contribution of approximately Shs10,000. The recent NIC Life Uganda Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme payout to Sadiq Bakole's family underscores the tangible value of this relatively modest investment, providing significant relief during unforeseen tragedies.

Furthermore, the scheme includes additional provisions, such as potential school-fees benefits for children declared by insured workers at the time of registration. This holistic approach aims to mitigate various financial hardships that can arise for migrant workers and their dependents, reinforcing the importance of the mandatory Ugandan migrant worker insurance discussion.

Anthony Lubandi, the CEO of NIC Life Assurance, has strongly advocated for the Ugandan government to implement mandatory insurance for all its citizens seeking employment opportunities overseas. Lubandi highlighted the substantial financial burden families face when a loved one dies abroad, often struggling to raise Shs15 million or even Shs20 million for repatriation costs. He positioned the Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme as a crucial solution, emphasizing that for a monthly premium of just Shs10,000, the scheme ensures the dignified return of a body to the family for proper arrangements.

Lubandi further explained that the Shs30 million death benefit, exemplified by the UMIS Sadiq Bakole compensation, is intended to alleviate the financial strain on families following the loss of a breadwinner. He clarified that while no amount can replace a life, this compensatory sum helps families adjust to the permanent absence and the economic void left by their deceased member. This perspective underscores the scheme's role in providing essential support rather than merely a transactional payout.

The NIC Life Assurance Uganda migrant worker scheme, according to Lubandi, represents an extremely affordable yet highly beneficial safeguard. He reiterated his plea for the government to seriously consider making such coverage compulsory, arguing that the benefits significantly outweigh the minimal cost, thereby protecting countless families from devastating financial hardship.

Since its inception two years ago, the Uganda Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme has seen approximately 4,500 Ugandan migrant workers register for its protections. This growing enrollment reflects an increasing awareness among workers of the need for financial security while working internationally. The scheme's impact extends beyond individual cases like the NIC Life Uganda Migrant Workers' Insurance Scheme payout to Bakole's family, demonstrating a broader commitment to supporting the country's diaspora.

Collectively, over the past two years, more than Shs276 million has been disbursed to the families of Ugandan migrant workers through this scheme. This significant figure illustrates the consistent and substantial support provided by the UMIS, offering a vital safety net for those who contribute to the nation's economy from abroad. The partnership between NIC Life Assurance and Spades Insurance Brokers Uganda has been instrumental in facilitating these crucial payouts and expanding the scheme's reach.

Lawyers advising Ugandan recruitment agencies or employers of migrant workers should note the successful payout under the UMIS, reinforcing the scheme's importance and the growing call for mandatory insurance for all Ugandan migrant workers, which could impact future compliance requirements and risk management strategies for clients.

Source: Original reporting via local media