KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Board of Directors of the National Social Security Fund-NSSF is set to commence investigations into the allegations of the Fund’s mismanagement by former Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba.
Byarugaba’s contract expired at the end of November just after the expiry of his former deputy, Patrick Ayota, which has since been renewed. It was earlier reported that the Board led by Dr Peter Kimbowa had endorsed Byarugaba’s reappointment for another five-year term.
On the basis of the endorsement and a presidential directive for the same, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja asked line Minister, Betty Amongi to proceed with the appointment “as recommended by the Board to avoid any managerial gaps which can put the workers’ funds at risk”.
However, the minister has since protested the move and instead called for an investigation into the former MD’s conduct while at the fund, accusing him of abuse of office and mismanagement of the entity’s investments, among other issues.
Amongi says the investigations must be done within two months after the resolution by the Board to conduct the process.
NSSF Board Chairman, Dr Peter Kimbowa has now revealed that the resolution was already made and the process begins this week as part of the due diligence by the government that is supposed to be done before the appointment is granted or rejected.
“Following consultations with various key stakeholders, the appointing authority is conducting a due diligence exercise following the recommendation of the NSSF board of directors. In due course, NSSF members and the public will be informed of the outcome of the due diligence exercise, and subsequent appointment of a managing director,” he wrote.
At a recent meeting at State House, Museveni said if there were any allegations concerning governance, there must be an investigation. Amongi says that by Thursday, the investigations must have commenced and be concluded in two months.
She says that she has received dozens of petitions from individual workers and groups of workers who were concerned about Byarugaba’s management style and opposed his reappointment.
One of the petitioners, Job Richard Matua wondered why Byarugaba was being given a new contract yet he had surpassed the retirement age of 60, arguing that there are many Ugandans who have the ability to do the job. His Deputy, Ayota was also reappointed after 60 years.
However, Amongi says the Attorney General advised that the civil service laws about retirement do not apply to the MD and the Deputy MD of NSSF. On whether she expects a balanced investigation by the Board which earlier endorsed Barugaba for reappointment and is now tasked to probe him, the minister instead referred us to the Chairman.
Usher Wilson Owere, the embattled chairman of the National Organisation of Trade Unions, one of the constituent members of the NSSF Board says instead, that the Minister should be probed over her undue interventions in the daily operations of the Fund.
He says she called the organisations to write petitions alleging corruption and other issues against Byarugaba, with the motive of failing his reappointment, especially for allegedly refusing to grant her request for 6 billion Shillings from the NSSF for her official activities.
Minister Amongi explains that the planned activities are all in support of NSSF, particularly regarding contribution compliance by employers and also enhancing contributions. Specifically, according to her statement, the activities will include the holding meeting with private sector chief executives, meetings with ministries, departments and agencies of government, and four regional meetings “to sensitise citizens on their social security rights and obligations.”
Other planned activities are; securing at least two signed Memoranda of Understanding with MDAs to enable them to commit to enhancing their compliance and finalising the regulatory framework for mandatory and voluntary contributions. She also plans to tour industrial parks to engage with employers and employees, sensitising Ugandans on voluntary savings and conducting spot registration in industrial parks and construction sites.
“That is the purpose of the six billion, fully approved by the NSSF Board,” she said, adding that is part of her mandate as the line minister.
“As a saver, the new law approved by Parliament 2022 requires me, as a Minister to increase voluntary savings and enforce registration of all workers in Uganda from all companies. We start with all industrial parks, January.”
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