NSSF Board On Tenterhooks, Holds Emergency Meeting To Save Byarugaba As Crisis Deepens

By Uganda Online Media

Following a letter leaked by the Minister of Gender & Labour Betty Amongi accusing National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Managing Director, Richard Byarugaba of corruption and mismanagement of the Fund’s money.

The board has been forced to hold an emergency board meeting at NSSF to moot a plan to save their boss Byarugaba as well as the entire fund that is currently under scrutiny over corruption allegations.

According to sources, the Board Chairman, Peter Kimbowa tasked members to urgently respond to the minister’s allegations against Byarugaba noting that the entire fund is at risk.

One source who attended the meeting said, “These allegations are not against the managing director, they are against the Fund and we need to respond. Why should we keep quiet? Meanwhile, we have asked the IGG to investigate the matter?”

It’s worth noting that the emergency meeting comes at a time when the speaker of Parliament Anita Among has decided to institute a select committee to investigate the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged mismanagement of Shs 17 trillion shillings at the fund.

The Speaker revealed that she will announce a five-member committee on Monday next week, vowing not to allow the ongoing power fights at the NSSF that are affecting the operations of the Fund adding that any diversion of the funds is a criminal act.

“The money that goes to NSSF belongs to our workers.  We are here to legislate for people, for our constituents and for humanity. It is one more reason why we must look at issues that affect the workers of this country,” she said.

She said that for a fund belonging to workers in Uganda who depend on it in their retirement, certainty is very important and workers need to know if their money is secure.

The genesis of the NSSF scandals started after Byarugaba’s contract expired at the end of November 2022. It was earlier reported that NSSF Board had endorsed Byarugaba’s re-appointment 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 Amongi to proceed with the appointment however, the minister 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.

On the other hand, however, sources pin Among on conniving with Sam Lyomoki, a former Member of Parliament representing workers, in trying to ‘smuggle’ out over Ugx1bn from NSSF, a deal that Byarugaba blocked. It’s said that this annoyed Lyomoki and Among hence launching a ‘deadly’ fight against him.