By Editor.
National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) affiliates who have been embroiled in a power struggle and endles wrangles, have finally agreed to stop the fights. Newly elected Secretary General Mr Richard Bigirwa announced at Female Workers Member of Parliament Hon Agnes Kunihira ‘s launch of Workers Centre of Excellence December 19, 2022, that the two antagonistic sides have agreed to stop fighting and dialogue on the future of the federation. He called for cessation of hostilities, respect for leaders, reconciliation and forgivess during this period when leaders are dialoguing on cooperation and unity. Political pundits and observers have credited the leaders for burying their differences and accepting to work together. The period the two sides spent trading insults , maligning and character assasinating each other is precious time wasted and may never be recovered. The figjhts that started on a small scale intensified and threatened to tear apart the labour federation after the Chairman General Mr Usher Wilson Owere and the Secretary General Hon Peter Werikhe Christopher disagreed bitterly. At one time Mr Owere vowed and even swore never to work with his Secretary General. As the conflict intensified and escalated drawing in affiliates two antangonistic camps emerged one backing Chairman General and the other supporting the Secretary General. On three occasions NOTU Chairman General Mr Usher Wilson Owere failed to steer and moderate business during meetings of the Governing Council as his personal vendetta against the Secretary General Hon Peter Werikhe Christopher took central stage.As if that was no bad enough affiliates started fighting each other on social media and in the mass media. The labour fraternity and indeed the whole atmosphere became “war” like as members became intolerant and militant with signs of flexing muscles and throwing punches at each other. In a militant fashion the Chairman General declared in his communication of October 25, 2022 that he is NOTU Titular head, a position that does not exist in the federations constitution. He also dismissed the Secretary General, overthrew the Executive Board, wrote to banks to freeze NOTU bank accounts and promised to appoint a Secretary General of his choice.What started as a plot to remove the Secretary General in a ” coup :detat’ or via a “vote of no confidence” in Masaka and in Kampala, changed dramatically as opposing members plotted and instead it was the presumed “starring Film Star” Usher Wilson Owere, who was removed from office on November 15, 2022, General Council that followed a petition by 27 affiliates.However Mr Usher Owere sounded remorseful this month as he said regrets whatever has been going on under turbulent times and supports dialogue aimed at restoring sanity in the federation. But more significantly to note is that in all transactions and projects that involve the Secretary General the Chairman General was equally involved and exonerating himself and only accusing his Secretary General was not possible. Since affiliates are following advise from Gender, Labour and Social Development Ministry to dialogue and resolve their differences, a new NOTU will be ushered in devoid of squabbles .We thank the new NOTU leaders under Acting Secretary General bro Richard Bigirwa, Treasurer General Mr Moses Mauku and Deputy Treasurer General Ms Barbara Bandaru and other leaders including Workers MPs, for leading the process in dialogue aimed at, reconciliation, forgivess and unity. Lets revamp NOTU into a vibrant, united,- dynamic and progressive labour federation that defends and promotes workers’ rights ■
