KAMPALA, UGANDA: The Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon Betty Amongi has appointed Patrick Ayota as the new Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) after serving for nearly a year in acting capacity.
Ayota’s appointment was confirmed by the NSSF Board Chairman Dr Peter Kimbowa in a statement via X (formerly Twitter) on Friday afternoon.
According to Dr Kimbowa, the Board see Mr Ayota as the right person for the job having steered the workers’ body through a challenging period whilst acting as a Managing Director for the last 8 months.
“We are pleased to inform the NSSF members, stakeholders and the public that the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development Hon Betty Amongi has appointed Mr Patrick M Ayota the Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) for a period of five years effective 18th August 2023”- reads a statement from NSSF.
“He (Ayota) has also served as Deputy Managing Director since December 2017 and Chief Financial Officer since July 2011. The Board is confident that he is the right person to steer the Fund forward at such a critical time following changes in legislation that oblige the Fund to play a leading role in expanding social security coverage to all Ugandans. The Board assures all NSSF members, stakeholders, and the public that their Fund is stable and on course to surpass its 2015-2025 Strategic Objectives,” the statement added.
The NSSF board said it is “confident that Ayota is the right person to steer the Fund forward at such a critical time, following changes in legislation that oblige the Fund to play a leading role in expanding social security coverage to all Ugandans.”
Ayota’s appointment appears to be the last nail in the former MD Richard Bayrugaba’s case who has long been at loggerheads with the appointing minister to secure another term despite clocking the mandatory retirement age.
The appointment also comes a few days after Byarugaba on August 09 ran to court seeking court action to compel the minister to execute his reappointment in the position arguing that his axing was “malicious, based on known bias against him.”
Byarugaba said he had been appointed on November 29, 2017, to lead the Fund for 5 years with the term ending November 30, 2022.
“Even before my second contract could run its course, Amongi attempted to bring it to a premature end. By a letter addressed to me, she claimed that I was supposed to have automatically retired upon reaching the age of 60 years, without reference to the Attorney General for advice, she ordered me to cease serving as managing director…” reads a lawsuit filed by his lawyers.
“That it is only due to the intervention of the Attorney General’s office that I was able to complete my second term in office. I know the aforesaid attempt to prematurely retire me occurred after the board of directors of NSSF had recommended to the 2nd respondent that Mr Patrick Ayota, the deputy managing director, and I be granted new contracts effective December 1, 2022,” it adds.
The former MD’s plea for reinstatement was due for hearing on August 21, 2023, before the minister executed her powers to appoint a permanent Managing Director of the Worker’s Fund Trust .
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