Overview:
Recently, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also asked Amongi to expedite Byarugaba’s reappointment, saying the delay was putting NSSF management at risk.
The National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) is calling for the immediate resignation of the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Betty Amongi, accusing her of attempting to siphon Shs6 billion in workers’ savings from National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
According to Usher Wilson Owere, the NOTU Secretary General, Minister Amongi illegally ordered NSSF Managing Director Richard Byarugaba to give her the money, arguing that it was meant to promote compliance among workers to save with NSSF.
“The Minister- Hon Amongin Betty asked the MD of NSSF Ugx 6bn to her office as Minister. She justified her cause that she was going to account for these funds by ensuring compliance by members. This is a great shame to our own Minister! Is this her role as Minister that she should be given workers hard earned money to achieve her own mischievous ends?” he said in a statement issued on Thursday, 22 December 2022.
Owere claims that when Byarugaba refused to grant her access to the money, the minister has refused to renew her contract.
“When the MD failed to give the money she conditioned that he would not get a new contract. This matter was even reported to the Minister of Finance who was also in utter shock,” Owere said.
NOTU accuses Amongi of double standards, saying that she refused to grant Byarugaba a new contract on account of advanced age yet he says she granted the same contract to Patrick Ayota as Deputy NSSF MD who is also 60 years.
“The Minister ensured that the MD is not given another contract on account that he was 60 years, but she appointed the Deputy MD on a five year contract who was also 60 years as well! This same DMD was appointed the Acting MD,” Owere said.
“Upon being appointed Acting MD, he immediately amended the budget and included the Ministers demand of Ugx 6bn,” he added.
NOTU now wants the President of Uganda and Parliament to intervene.
“That, you institute a select committee to investigate the scandals of the Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development in Relation to NSSF Matters, terminate the services of Amongin as Minister of Gender Labour and Social Development, and Investigate the reason for involvement of Hon Betty Amongin in the matters of NOTU even when the Labour Unions Act 2006 does not give her powers to do so,” he said.
“The Minister ensured that the MD is not given another contract on account that he was 60 years, but she appointed the Deputy MD on a five year contract who was also 60 years as well! This same DMD was appointed the Acting MD,”
Usher Wilson Owere, NOTU Secretary General,
“To the Parliament of Uganda, please table a Censure motion against the Minister. You cannot sit and watch the workers of Uganda lose their hard earned money at the hands of the Minister,” he added.
Amongi was not immediately available for a comment.
On November 25, the chairperson of NSSF Board Peter Kimbowa had written to Gender and Labour minister Betty Amongi, the appointing authority, recommending that Mr Byarugaba and his deputy, Mr Patrick Ayota, be reappointed for another five years each.
Amongi’s mandate under the amended NSSF law include, among others, appointing the managing director and deputy on the Board’s recommendation, approving budget of the Fund, driving membership and contribution and handling labour-related issues.
Asked recently why she did not give Mr Byarugaba a fresh mandate and renewed Mr Ayota’s contract, yet NSSF Board recommended both to continue in their jobs, minister Amongi said: “There are petitions with allegations of financial impropriety in relation to the Fund, which require further consultations at higher levels before I can sign [renewal of the contract].”
President Museveni had cautioned the Gender and Labour minister against asking the top Fund managers to leave on the account of age, noting in an August 6 letter that “it is better one consults quietly about these appointments before deciding.
Recently, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also asked Amongi to expedite Byarugaba’s reappointment, saying the delay was putting NSSF management at risk.