By Our Reporters.
The power struggle within the National Organization of Trade Unions (NOTU) heightened this month as the federation held a leadership workshop where top officials survived narrowly a coup d’état”.
NOTU affiliates’ Chairpersons and General Secretaries, federation’s Executive board and four Workers Members of Parliament attended a three – day residential workshop from May 18 – 21, 2022.
The training discussed among others qualities of leaders, work ethics, conflict resolution, transparency, accountability and good governance.
NOTU Secretary General who is also Bubulo West Member of Parliament Hon. Peter Werikhe Christopher said Covid -19 adversely affected labour unions’ capacity to organize and serve members.
“ As a result of Covid-19 pandemic jobs were lost, incomes dropped and so was decline in membership across all sectors. The same negative effects were transmitted to the federation,” he said..
Mr Werikhe the federation was successful in working with Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions, Workers MPS and all affiliates in ensuring the NSSF amendment bill dubbed “mid – term access” and Markets Bill, were passed.”
The legislator said NOTU recently acquired a permanent home in Kyaliwajala, a Kampala suburb after several years of renting office space.
He said:” Despite the challenges encountered we undertook decisions and programs implementation collectively as NOTU Executive Board”.
NOTU Chairman General Mr Usher Wilson Owere said there has been a lot of bickering among NOTU affiliates on what may not be going on well but added that in administration human beings are prone to disagreements and mistakes.
“ Today is a day we should consolidate on pertinent issues that will help NOTU get revamped with new ideas and development plans.,” he said..
Workers Member of Parliament Hon Margaret Rwabushaija Namubiru congratulated trade union leaders as the five workers’ representatives marked one year in Parliament.
She said:” The education sector was hard hit by Covid-19. And these effects will continue being felt for a long time,”.
Hon Rwabushaija thanked Workers MPs, NOTU board and labour unions for the support in ensuring the NSSF amendment bill and the Markets bill were tabled and passed by the House.
Female Workers MP Hon Agnes Kunihira Abwoli “ Omu bwati” said the NOTU leadership workshop is a refresher opportunity for Workers’ MPs on programs enshrined in their 2021 – 2026 manifestos.
“ We promised Workers in our manifestos to table three bills and pass them and we fulfilled our promise.” She said
Hon Kunihira said they could not organize bigger congregations due to Covid–19 restrictions, but that since the economy has been fully opened they would soon be unveil their manifesto plans.
The legislator assured workers that under her flagship slogan” Realizing Workers’ Manifesto for Effective Representation”, she is embarking on a vigorous long – term labour development programme.
Workers MP Hon Arinaitwe Rwakajara Katambuka “Obama” extended gratitude to union leaders for electing him as their representative to Parliament for the 2021 – 2026 term.
The MP said they presented impressive and progressive manifestos during election campaigns which they must implement in the remaining four years in parliament.
He said :“How did strangers get onto the register for workers elections?. How do we elect strangers to represent workers in Parliament?”, he asked..
The legislator lashed at trade unionists for giving Mr Sam Amanyire many votes (151 votes, adding that trade union leaders should be ashamed of themselves.
He said:” Our colleague (Hon Dr Same Lyomoki) who has been representing workers for 30 years, now thinks trade unions are useless and prefers non – unionized lot.”
Workers MP Hon. Charles Bakkbulindi “ the Bridge” castigated the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) for demeaning workers and locking them out of Emyooga, Parish Development Program and Bona bagagawale.
He said he deliberately boycotted May 1st International Labour Day ceremonies a Kololo Independence grounds because he knew workers were not going to match.
“ We must regain the sovereignty of trade unions which was lost to the government . Workers should be allowed to organize Labour day and invite government to listen to us,” He said.
Professor Benon C Basheka (PHD) made a presentation dubbed “leadership Principles and Practices, lessons for NOTU leaders, “Some thoughts on leadership for union success and sustainability”, and “Handling conflict in a membership organization.
He called for tolerance, selflessness, high degree of integrity diplomacy especially in handling conflicts , reconciliation, forgiveness and unity of all stakeholders.
“ We should always promote transparency, accountability and democracy which are the guiding principles for good governance,” he said.
Uganda Hotels, Tourism and Super markets (HTS) union General Secretary Mr Moses Mauku made a presentation on the “Roles and Responsibilities of Trade union leadership with specific reference to Chairpersons and General Secretaries.
Mr Mauku advised trade union leaders to stop arrogance, greed and permanent authoritarianism in administration, and to always be inspirational leaders who lead by example.
He said:” Leaders must respect and conform to constitutionalism and desist from greed which is cause for endless wrangles in the Labour fraternity.”
A cross section of leaders planned to cause a governing organ of NOTU, the General Council.Momentum picked up during the group work after Prof Basheka tasked leaders to produce findings on “ what went wrong in NOTU and how the federation can be revamped.
Groups made their presentations outlining causes for problems in NOTU and giving recommendations on resolving issues at hand..
Suspicion, conspiracy, intrigue and a plot to overcome the other using a “cool” coup d’etat” was the perception held by some NOTU top leadership. On the last day, May 20, it became imminent a coup was in the offing.
Infrastructure union General Secretary Mr Robert Wanzusi Matukhu said there is need for a complete overhaul in the labour federation. “ We cannot just pretend that things are moving well when governance structures are almost non – functional ” he said.
Hon Charles Bakkabulindi told the workshop that here was need to clean up NOTU Executive Board because things have not been moving well for some time.
He said :” I have been around for some time and seen how things are moving. Let’s correct mistakes, advise each other. It is not government that imposed four versions of NOTU constitution.”
But Hon Agnes Kunihira said leaders should not pretend to be saints when they have been part of the very problems they are raising and transferring blame to only NOTU top leadership.
She said NOTU federation has an Executive Board which has been implementing programs with the same leaders who are now detaching themselves.
National Union of Educational Institutions (NUEI) General Secretary Mr Okello Musa said NOTU Executive Board is not functioning well and called for reorganization of the federation.
Mr Okello, who is aspiring to replace Mr Peter Werikhe as NOTU Secretary General, there is need to reorganize, revamp and strengthen the federation so that it can serve the workers .
Hon Werikhe said It is absurd that the person who produced multi NOTU constitutions can turn around now and blame others for the same offence.
Hon Rwakajara said if it requires forming a “rebel group” in the labour fraternity to fight and overthrow inefficient leaders he would support it in its efforts of affecting a revolution.
He proposed that the workshop should constitute into a General Council for a short while to discuss and appoint a fact – finding committee that will investigate NOTU problems and produce a report..
Tempers flared after bitter exchange between Chairman General Mr Usher Wilson Owere and Electricity Union General Secretary, also NOTU Deputy Secretary General Mr Tom Amiti, ensured as others joined in..
Former NOTU Chairman General and Communications Union General Secretary Mr David Nkojo, who was chairing the last session was bewildered .
Mr Wilson Owere sensing a looming “coup d’etat” arising out of a two minute “power vacuum”, rushed and grabbed a microphone from Mr Nkojjo .
“ I must remind you that I’m the NOTU Chairman General. I cannot allow this mess to continue. We shall take all concerns of the affiliates and address them,” said Mr Owere as he ordered Mr Nkojjo off the Chairman’s seat.
Members volunteered to be on a nine – member NOTU fact finding committee .
