"Minister Amongi was handcuffed by Pm Nabbanja's directives to re-appoint 60 years old NSSF Boss" - Journalist Musamali Arnold.

The minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development few weeks ago  asked Mr Richard Byarugaba, the managing director of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), to leave office on the basis that he had attained the retirement age.

In a July 22 letter, Ms Betty Amongi, who is the co-political overseer of the Fund alongside her Finance counterpart Matia Kasaija, noted that under the Public Service Standing Order and NSSF Human Resource Policy, Mr Byarugaba, like his deputy Patrick Ayota did, should have automatically retired on clocking 60 years.

 However, mr Byarugaba deliberately refused to officially retired although, by law, his  retirement is mandatory and automatic upon attainment of the retirement age of 60 years.

Minister Amongi kept pressing for the exit of Byarugaba, unfortunately the he had to run to the prime minister of Uganda Rt. Hon. Robbina Nabbanja to keep him clinging in office.

How Nabbanja handcuffed amongi

On tuesday 13th December 2022, the  Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja wrote to Gender and Labour minister Betty Amongi, the appointing authority, directing that Mr Richard Byarugaba must be re-appointed for another five years as the Managing Director of National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Byarugaba’s tenure as NSSF MD had expired on November 1, 2022. He has held the position since 2010.

In a letter dated December 7, 2022, the Prime Minister said Byarugaba’s re-appointment followed a meeting they had at State house Entebbe chaired by President Museveni and the recommendations from the Board of Directors of the NSSF.

“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 on the matter have taken place. You and I have been pivotal. In my assessment, consensus has emerged that we should agree with the Board Recommendations to give a five-year non-renewable performance contract to Mr.

Richard Byarugaba and Mr. Patrick Ayota as Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director respectively,” the letter reads in part.

In that statement above is where the PM is going against the law in Gender ministry, Richard is almost shifting to 61 years, in Uganda, no civi servant is allowed to hold any office after clocking 60 years - Journalists musamali Arnold. 

“I appreciate that you have already appointed Mr. Patrick Ayota the Deputy Managing Director.”

“The purpose of this letter is to guide that you proceed and appoint Mr. Richard Byarugaba as the Managing Director of NSSF as recommended by the Board to avoid any managerial gaps which can put the workers funds at risk. This will ensure that the fully constituted Management Team can embark on implementing the Fund new Strategy in light of the New NSSF Law as amended,” the letter adds.

The Fund position itself is to mobilize retirement savings from citizens as envisaged in the amended NSSF Act. The Fund further ensures that those funds are invested for the benefit of the members and the overall socio-economic transformation.

Nabbanja added that in light of the allegations submitted to them in the last meeting, they referred the matter to the Auditor General for investigations.

NSSF-Uganda is a quasi-government agency responsible for the collection, safekeeping, responsible investment, and distribution of retirement funds from employees of the private sector who are not covered by the Government Retirement Scheme.

It is the largest pension fund in East Africa with total assets of about Ush16.86 trillion as of March 2022.

"As an investigative journalist, these directives do look to be for the prime Minister, these look like the pm is acting on orders of president Museveni"-  journalist Musamali Arnold.