By Erick Matovu.
NOTU affiliates on November 15, 2022, voted unanimously in a General Council to suspend the Chairman General in a “Vote of No Confidence “ ironically a twist from what Mr. Owere had been plotting against NOTU Secretary General Hon. Peter Werikhe Christopher on three occasions in Kampala and Masaka. Kabweri County Member of Parliament and NOTU Deputy Chairman General Hon. Stephen Mugole was elected Acting Chairman General. Hotels Union General Secretary Mr Moses Mauku was elected Ag Treasurer General and Ms Barbara Bandaru was elected Deputy Treasurer General The affiliates accused Mr Owere of inefficiency, sabotage and mismanagement of the federation. . The Chairman General on October 25, 2022 overthrew NOTU constitution, the Executive Board and Governing Council by declaring himself “Titular” head of NOTU, a position that does not exist, before writing to banks to freeze NOTU accounts.Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Hon. Betty Amongin Ongom wrote on October 28, 2022 requesting Mr. Owere to furnish the Registrar of Labour Unions with the minutes and resolutions of the Governing Council that mandated him to be NOTU titular head within seven days and resolutions to freeze NOTU bank accounts, and he failed. Labour Director Hon Martin Wandera said the petitioners did not follow the law in removing the Chairman General and insinuated that the November 15, 2022 General Council was not properly convened. But the same Ministry officials appeared contradicting themselves by accepting and endorsing Hon Werikhe’s resignation that was tendered in at the same meeting.Hon Martin Wandera said that intervention by the Attorney General on NOTU wrangles should be the last resort but dialogue is the best approach.“ As a line Ministry we are encouraging leaders and promoting a spirit of dialogue with view to harmonious resolve in the conflicts while promoting reconciliation and unity,” he said.Uganda Private Teachers Union General Secretary Mr Juma Mwamula said the line Ministry should stop playing double standards by calling for NOTU internal organs when the properly convened November 15, 2022 General Council was frustrated. Hospitality Union General Secretary Mr Frank Mugyema said the Ministry should stop imposing disgraced and rejected leaders on NOTU affiliates.But Uganda Local Government Workers Union General Secretary Mr Hassan Mudiba said affiliates should convene General Council and take decisions of their choice in the manner that protects workers.A meeting for NOTU General Secretaries and Gender, Labour and Social Development Ministry officials on December 7, 2022 discussed the issues at hand. Hon Minister Betty Amongin, Permanent Secretary Mr Aggrey Kibenge and Director for Labour Hon Martin Wandera rebuked trade unionists over endless wars..Hon Amongin told the meeting that she had reservations over position taken by the Director for Labour on the matters. She said she needed advise and guidance from the Attorney General before taking a final decision.“The position taken by the Director for Labour Hon Martin Wandera on behalf of the Ministry on NOTU wrangles is not conclusive. Once we receive advise from the Attorney General we could even over turn the earlier position,” She said.However as things stand now the matter will be resolved at GLSD Ministry level ■
