On Wednesday, August 9, 2023, the former National Social Security Fund-NSSF Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba filed a suit in the High Court, Kampala, seeking orders to compel the Labor and Gender Minister, Betty Amongi to complete his reappointment as NSSF Managing Director as recommended by the board. Byarugaba said that the decision by the minister to deliberately refuse to endorse his reappointment was malicious.
He said that Amongi has shown her bias on many occasions where she acted as accuser, prosecutor and ultimately, a judge in matters relating to his job at the Fund. He asked court to force the minister to enforce the board’s recommendation for his contract’s renewal, effective December 1, 2022.
“Even before my second contract could run its course, the 2nd respondent (Minister Amongi) attempted to bring it to a premature end. By letter addressed to me, the 2nd respondent 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…,” Byarugaba said in his Affidavit.
The Board of Directors of NSSF had recommended to the minister that Byarugaba and Patrick Ayota, the Deputy Managing Director be granted new contracts effective December 1, 2022.
On June 30, 2023, Betty Amongi wrote to the NSSF Board Chairman, Peter Kimbowa insisting on her rejection of the board’s November 2022 recommendation to re-appoint Byarugaba, saying that if reappointed, he would continue to undermine her as the minister.
“The reports of Parliament and IGG are sufficient for us to make a decision on his employment with NSSF and the period allowable for someone to act in a position for six months has expired, which calls on us to recruit a new MD,” Amongi’s letter read in part.
“Against that background, I now would like to notify you that your recommendation to me to renew Mr Richard Byarugaba’s contract as Managing Director has been declined,” she added.
It should be noted that Byarugaba had earlier complained of being a victim of witch hunt because he had refused to authorize the release of Ugx 6 billion requested by Minister Amongi. Both the Minister of Finance and the NSSF Board said the request for the Ugx 6 billion was illegal and irregular with the Finance Minister telling Amongi to resign. The parliament select committee on NSSF issues called for the censure of Minister Amongi over the same issue.
The irony is in the fact that Ayota’s contract was renewed but Byarugaba’s was not, regardless of the fact that the board had recommended for both which makes the matter look more personal.
On the other hand, the fact that Byarugaba has been preaching to Ugandans how to prepare for retirement but at the same time he is the same person trying all means to evade retirement, leaves a lot to be desired and sets a bad example.
By both Byarugaba and Amongi making good excuses and not correcting their wrongs for the benefit of savers and the fund at large, leaves funders with many unanswered questions regarding the safety of their savings and the integrity of the ones in charge of the fund. Two wrongs do not make a right, they make good excuses.
