Overview:
This comes amid reports that Gender Minister Betty Minister Betty Amongi, who oversees the Fund’s affairs, is frustrating the reappointment of Richard Byarugaba as its Managing Director
The National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Board of Directors has said the ministry of Gender is still conducting due diligence on the person to be appointed the Fund’s managing director.
In a statement issued on Friday, 23 December 2022, NSSF assured the savers and other stakeholders that the appointment process is still ongoing.
“Following consultations with various key stakeholders, the appointing authority is conducting a due diligence exercise following the recommendations of the NSSF Board of Directors,” the statement signed by Dr. Peter Kimbowa, the Chairman, NSSF Board of Directors read in part.
“In due course, NSSF members and the public will be informed of the outcome of the due diligence exercise, and subsequently appointment of a Managing Director. We re-affirm that the Fund is operating normally in the execution of its mandate,” the statement added.
This comes amid reports that Gender Minister Betty Minister Betty Amongi, who oversees the Fund’s affairs, is frustrating the reappointment of Richard Byarugaba as its Managing Director following a fallout between the duo over Shs6b.
NSSF Board of Directors recommended that Byarugaba be given another term on account of good performance. Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja also recently wrote to Amongi, directing that she reappoints Byarugaba and that his delayed appointment was affecting the future operations of the Fund.
On Thursday, the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) called for the immediate resignation of 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.
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.
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].”