The Executive Director of Global Forum for Development (GLOFORD), a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Dr. Morris Chris Ongom, has been sued for failing to remit the monthly National Social Security Fund-NSSF contribution for his employees.

On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, Dr. Ongom appeared before the Lira District Chief Magistrates Court to answer a total of 10 counts slapped against him and the two organisations where he is the proprietor.

He was, however, released on a cash bail of Ugx 500,000 by the court presided over by Chief Magistrate Samson Abiti Loum.

According to the charge sheet, Dr. Ongom is accused of failure to pay his due contribution contrary to sections 11(1) and 44(1)(f) of the National Social Security Fund Act, Cap. 222.

Under this particular charge, it is alleged that Dr. Ongom did not pay monthly remittances for the months of September, October, November, and December 2017, amounting to about $9 million, including the accrued penalty.

It is reported that the total amount of money of which NSSF has accused Dr. Ongom and GLOFORD of not remitting amounts to over Ugx 430M.

Ongom’s lawyer, Lillian Atala, asked the court to release him on bail and presented four sureties, including Andrew Ocepa, a Civil Engineer and resident of Ireda Shamba, and Isaac Odongo of Kakoge A cell, Lira City West division, who stood as sureties in one case, while Francis Okello Olwa, a Senior Community Development Officer of Lira District, and Herbert Ebong, who works with GLOFORD, stood as sureties for Ongom in another case.

The Resident State Attorney, Jonathan Okello argued that Ongom had presented his friends as sureties as opposed to directors of his organisations to assure the court that he would abide by the bail conditions.

Dr. Ongom is required to return to court on August 10, 2023.

GLOFORD is a local NGO that advocates for social justice, a corruption-free society, good governance, education, and health among the community in Northern Uganda.