By Erick Matovu.
Outgoing National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) Secretary General Hon Peter Werikhe Christopher has lambasted sacked federation Chairman General Mr Usher Wilson Owere for peddling lies in the media.He said Mr Owere has been telling the world in the media that I earn two salaries from NOTU and Ugandan Parliament which is not true. “ I have been earning one salary as the federation’s Secretary General and allowances from Parliament.Hon. Werikhe, who is also Member of Parliament for Bubuulo West on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, said the embattled former Chairman General has been fighting him saying NOTU constitution bars the Secretary General from involvement in party politics.He said:” Mr Owere should be ashamed of himself because he is member and Chairman NRM Workers League in Tororo. He contested for Parliament in the primaries on NRM ticket and for Parliament as an independent and on both occasions he lost miserably.”Hon. Werikhe said article 29 of the Ugandan constitution that guarantees freedom of expression and association to form and join trade unions and political parties of one’s choice , ensures he enjoys his fundamental human rights.“ Article 29 of the Ugandan Constitution protects me as a member of Parliament who stood on the NRM party ticket in Bubuulo West Constituency,” he said.The trade unionist turned politician castigated Mr Owere for inconsistencies where both, NRM members were elected in 2018 on NOTU Executive board, and in 2020 Mr Werikhe won an NRM party parliamentary ticket.Hon Werikhe wondered why Mr Owere has taken two years to realize the legislator was elected on an NRM ticket, adding that the whole matter appears to be sheer envy, sabotage and personal vendetta.The former Chief Executive Officer at NOTU, said Mr Owere has been saying in the media he wants accountability for NOTU finances and wondered whether the federation’s organs have ceased for NBSTV to be the “organ” receiving audited books of accounts.He said: “ Mr Owere is signatory on NOTU banks accounts and should be sincere and tell the world that he is part and parcel of the very accountability he is demanding from me. We have up to date audited books of accounts by a reputable finance Management firm for the last three years.”The Deputy General Secretary at Uganda Public Employees Union (UPEU) said Mr Owere asked accountability of State House money when he knows very well the money was used on purchasing the current NOTU permanent home.Hon Werikhe said when he joined NOTU the federation was renting office space from a tiny location in Ntinda but through his commitment and visionary leadership they have managed to acquire a permanent home in Kyaliwajjala.“ As I leave the federation i am happy of having acquired a permanent home for NOTU yet there are officials including some Workers MPS who have been around for long but without such achievements,” he said.The Bubuulo West Member of Parliament rebuked Mr Owere for frustrating NOTU operations when he besieged the federation in a “militant” fashion, declared himself titular head and wrote to banks to freeze all bank accounts ■
