By Our Reporter
NATIONAL
In what appears to be a directive unpleasant, the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development has been asked to renew the contract of Richard Byarugaba for another five (5) years.
The directive is contained in a letter written by the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja and dated 7th December, 2022 titled ‘Appointment of Mr. Richard Byarugaba Managing Director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).
The directive follows Amongi’s earlier reluctance to renew Byarugaba’s contract saying, ““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].”
Amongi had instead renewed the contract of Patrick Ayota and appointed him as interim head of the Fund pending the outcome of “further consultations” before a final decision.
However, in Nabbanja’s letter, Amongi has been asked to give a five (5) year non-renewable performance contract to Byarugaba.
“As you are equally aware, H.E The President delegated me to conclusively handle this matter and provide update. I am happy to note that comprehensive consultations with key stakeholders have taken place. In my assessment, consensus has emerged that we agree with the Board Recommendations to give a five year non-renewable performance contract to Mr. Patrick Byarugaba,” Nabbanja’s letter reads.
It should be noted that the NSSF Board had earlier written to the Minister to renew Byarugaba’s contract, a recommendation Amongi was reluctant to do.
On November 25, the chairperson of NSSF Board Peter Kimbowa had written to Amongi recommending that Mr Byarugaba and his deputy, Mr Patrick Ayota, be reappointed for another five years each.
However, upon Amongi’s reluctance to renew his contract, Byarugaba sent a three-paragraph sign-out email to staff on 1st December, 202 with a subject line that “hope to see you again, maybe!”
Nabbanja’s letter follows high profile meetings starting with one at State House and chaired by President Museveni on 6th December, 2022. Present at State House deliberation were the premier, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, minister Amongi and her Finance counterpart Matia Kasaija who is the political co-supervisor of the workers’ pension fund. That meeting, according to sources that attended it, praised the performance of the Byarugaba-Ayota team in growing the Fund by about Shs8 trillion over 12 years and, while citing the need to appreciate the honchos, left it up to NSSF Board to determine their fate.
