By Our Reporters.
The wrangles within the National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) that threatened to tear apart the federation, have finally come to an end with warring parties agreeing unanimously to relieve embattled Chairman General Mr Usher Wilson Owere of his duties. A Secial meeting convened December 21, 2022 by Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Hon Betty Amongin at Ministry boardroom received final communication from warring parties that have been dialoguing on NOTU wrangles. A total of 16 trade union leaders representing the sides of Chairman General Usher Wilson Owere and that of former NOTU Secretary General Hon Peter Werikhe Christopher were present in a meeting also attended by Director for Labour at GLSD Ministry who is also the Registrar of Trade Unions Hon Martin Wandera..A highly – placed source at the meeting told the Workers Eye that the NOTU wrangles have finally ended after the Minister chaired a crucial final meeting that agreed the federation takes action now to restore sanity in its administration… Hon Amongin asked the two group;s what message they had for the Ministry on matter pertaining to NOTU wrangles.Mr Robert Matukhu Wanzusi rose and broke the big news to the Minister that sent a smile and a sigh of relief. ” Hon Minister this group of two warring parties has harmonized its issues and we have come here to announce and confirm that after days of dialogue between our warring parties we have all agreed that Mr Usher Wilson Owere be relieved of his duties as NOTU Chairman General and be replaced by bro Musa Okello in acting capacity. We have also agreed that we shall talk to Mr Owere who is not present in this meeting to resign on his own. In the unlikely event that he declines to resign or leave his supporters could even join other petitioners in signing on the Vote of No confidence petition”, he said.Mr Matukhu said during their dialogue they examined many factors and resolved that the status of Mr Usher Owere was unique, an impediment to all negotiations and is not negotiable since he faces a petition removing him out of office. He said:” We have all resolved as NOTU leaders to convene General Counccil meeting on January 9, 2023 to handle Mr Owere’s petition in case he has not resigned on his own and to handle any other federations’ business.Hon Betty Amongin said trade union leaders have simplified her job adding that now labour unions can put their house to order without more fights. ” Iam the happiest person today becausae you have simplified my work and helped workers in the country to resolve the long standing conflict,” she said.Director for Labour Hon Martin Wandera applauded trade union leaders for the big achievements recorded through dialogue. The Workers Eye has established that Gender, Labour and Social Development (GLSD) Ministry has been instrumental in initiating talks between a side led by Chairman General Usher Wilson Owere and Secretary General Hon Peter Werikhe Christopher, who is also Bubuulo West MP. Well – placed sources that preferred to remain anonymous said the two sides have been discussing pertinent issues that will help harmonize relationships in the federation and restore sanity in NOTU administration.The souring relationship between the two top NOTU leaders had become an impediment to commencement of dialogue by key players in the dispute.GLSD Ministry Director for Labour Hon Martin Wandera is said to have met each side separately for ground setting with mechanisms on creating dialogue between the two warring groups before they met together to discuss resolving their differences. The biggest challenge was agreeing to talk and initiation of dialogue among key players in a volatile environment where at one time some members almost exchanged blows during an abortive General Council meeting. Officials at the GLSD Ministry are said to have stopped earlier plans of referring the matter to the Attorney General for interpretation and advise after being convinced that the verdict would not give room for reconciliation and unity. The Director for Labour at GLSD Ministry Hon Martin Wandera told the Workers Eye in an Exclusive interview that they advised the parties to dialogue and resolve the conflict amicably instead of pushing the matter to the Attorney General.” As a line Ministry we have the duty to follow the law in resolving disputes but we also give parties chance to dialogue, reconcile, forgive one another , and resolve differences with a “win – win” situation that gives all parties a sense of belonging,” he said.Hon Wandera said as a Ministry they would embrace all initiatives that leaves room for reconciliation, adherence to democratic principles coupled with strict conformity with the 2006 Labour Unions Act. Sources within the two warring parties confirm that the discussions are progressing well with agreements on key issues that will culminate with a number of actionable resolutions to be incorporated in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).Earlier the “What Went Wrong ” Pressure Group leader and a key player in the conflict, Mr Robert Matukhu Wanzusi said they are currently preoccupied with discussions on modalities on how to resolve the conflicts in NOTU leadership.” We are making good progress in the discussions with both sides making realistic proposals that will be used in handling issues at hand,” he said. Mr Matukhu said both parties have tabled pertinent issues which are being discussed collectively with a long – term scope that secures the federations’s future.” Both parties have placed on the table talking points that address the impasse and the future being of the Labour Centre,” he said. Mr Matukhu, who is also Infrastructure Union General Secretary, said since the matter being discussed is very sensitive it will not be able to be shared until its logical conclusion.”We cannot share sensitive matters under discussion at an early stage until we have concluded the issues,” he said.Newly elected NOTU Acting Secretary General Mr Richard Bigirwa told the Workers Eye that there are high – level discussions going on between two parties with view to resolving the administrative wrangles .He said:” We agreed on cessation of hostilities, ending fights and to dialogue on amicable resolve of wrangles among NOTU affiliates.Mr Bigirwa said both parties are serious and committed in working on a lasting solution in resolving disagreements in a harmonious atmosphere that promotes reconciliation and unity..The Bottlers Union General Secretary said they are finalizing on modalities on key issues at hand which they will discuss and approve for inclusion in the final Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) draft.” We hope to compile a comprehensive report soon on issues agreed upon in an MoU which we shall refer to relevant organs of NOTU for action,” he said.According to the plans undertaken by the key players on the discussions all NOTU affiliates, members and workers in the country, will soon be briefed on the progress being made in the noble cause.Mr Bigirwa said in the meantime he is calling on all NOTU affiliates and members to stop fighting and instead give chance to dialogue in resolving issues at hand In a related development, Hon. Wandera told The Workers Eye that they will register the new NOTU leaders if the Ministry is convinced their election was in comformity with the 2006 Labour Unions Act■
