By Our Reporters.
Workers’ Members of Parliament and other trade union leaders have protested a recommendation directing them to refund 10 per cent contributions from the National Social Fund (NSSF). They said they were denied a fair hearing yet they received the money legally per their appointment terms of engagement.
Parliament has directed immediate blocking of the 10% contributions paid to NSSF Board members.
The Select committee chaired by Hon. Mwine Mpaka investigated mismanagement of NSSF, before tabling their report. Parliament committee recommended that individuals who are part of the 23 former and current NSSF board members refund money between seven working days and 60 days upon adoption of the report or face prosecution.
The affected members includes former and current members of Parliament with the majority being trade union leaders.
Select Committee report indicates that NSSF illegally contributed Ushs 12. 4 million for Female Workers MP Hon. Agnes Kunihira, Ushs 37 million to Bubuulo West MP Hon. Peter Werikhe Christopher and Ushs 32.7 million for Kabweri County MP Hon. Stephen Mugole during their 2019 tenure as board members.
The list includes two members namely Christopher Kahirita (Ushs 90.000) and Kyayonka Ivan (Ushs 11,100,000), who are departed.
Committee report explains that the matter is clear since there is no employee – employer relationship between the board members and NSSF to warrant 10 per cent contributions.
The report states that the contributions are not provided for as a benefit accruing that a member of the board is entitled to, under the Board Charter.
But some legislators including trade union leaders protested vehemently saying the report seemed to have been strategically designed to target worker’s representatives. Hon. Peter Werikhe, Hon. Stephen Mugole and Hon. Agnes Kunihira tabled written submissions challenging the report and demanding amending the report to expung their names in vain.
The trio argued that when they joined the NSSF board they found a number of items listed on their appointment as part and parcel of emoluments in terms of engagement.
They argued that if there is any errors made by the appointing authorities then the initiator of the process ought to taken the blame.
Hon Mugole said he was condemned and punished by the committee without being invited to defend himself on allegations of illegally receiving 10% contributions from NSSF.
He said:” I was appointed to the NSSF Board by the Finance Minister in 2019. The appointment stipulated terms and conditions plus remunerations as per the board’s engagement.”
The trade unionist said in 2011, the board introduced the 10 per cent contribution for all the members who were not public servants and below 55 years of age.
He said the latest recommendation that all board members who received or continue to receive 10 per cent contributions is illegal was deetermined without giving chance to affected individuals which contravenes laws of natural justice.
But Hon Mugole irked legislators especially Speaker of Parliament Hon. Anita Annet Among when he threatened court proceedings to challenge denial of a fair hearing.
Speaker Among warned that court threats would not derail the House from a noble cause of protecting workers savings. She said where as the House shared the concerns of lack of a fair hearing it was not in the best interest of members to be threatened for doing the right thing..
” Hon Mugole you were not accorded the opportunity to be heard by the Probe Committee. Use this chance and defend yourself before the plenary,” She said.
Hon. Peter Werikhe said he was appointed by Finance Minister on February 4, 2019 with clear terms of engagement stated as an NSSF Board member.
He said he was not accorded opportunity to be heard and to explain circumstances under which they find themselves on the wrong side of the law against their will.
“If I had been accorded chance to defend myself before the NSSF Probe Committee i would have elucidated pertinent issues related to this matter,” he said.
Female Workers MP Hon. Agnes Kunihira like the rest of her colleagues, rejected the harsh recommendation saying it is unfair to refund money that was legally accepted as part of one’s benefits.
” We were not given a fair hearing to defend ourselves on an illgality that shoud be blamed on the appointing authority. We signed legal documents with clear terms of engagement. Why are we being punished, defamed and humiliated on someone else’s mistake,” She said.
National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) Ag Chairman General Mr Musa Okello said Parliament was unfair and targetted mainly trade union leaders .
He said there were many legislators who were sponsored by NSSF on benchmarking trips in West Africa and elsewhere and have not been mentioned anywhere .
“Why was the investigation targetting trade union leaders while other legislators who spent workers’ savings on all – expenses paid trip, are left free from any blame,” he said.
He said:” The recommendation on refunding 10% NSSF contributions is unfair, unjustifiable and should be rescinded”.
On 19 January 2023, Parliament instituted a committee to inquire into operations of NSSF after reports of corruption and mismanagement of the Ushs17.9 trillion fund.
NSSF Probe Committee Report states below illegal 10% contributions that NSSF board members received.
1. Mr Bahemuka Julius – 37,293,858
2. Mr Bamwesigye Fred -80,237,972
3. Ms Birungi Annet – 10,644,600
4. Hon. Lyomoki Sam – 17,258,700
5. Mr Magoola Isaac – 43,929,297
6. Mr Mudiba Hassan. L – 15,716,520
7. Mr Mugisha Silver – 16,466,520
8. Hon. Mugole Stephen – 32,745,360
9. Ms Nakawunde Annet – 5,668,320
10. Ms Namatta Florence – 71,178,633
11. Mr Obita, Andrew – 22,988,400
12. Tukamwesiga Peninnah – 82,873,737
13. Mr Wafana Nelson – 23,131,300
14. Ms Walusimbi Sarah – 39,715,006
15. Hon. Werikhe Peter – 37,014,341
16. Mr Kyayonka Ivan – 11,100,000
17. Mr Okello Musa – 13,255,000
18. Hon Kunihira Agnes – 12,430,00
19. Mr Bigirwa Richard – 15,640,000
20. Mr Mukasa Henry – 13,975,00
21. Mr Romano Ojambo – 4,185,950
22. Ms Aripa Jolly Kirabo – 3,235,000
23. Mr Kahirita Christopher – 90,000
