By Daniel Bakalangudde.
Former Workers Member of Parliament who is also Central Organisation of Free Trade Unions (COFTU) Secretary General Hon. Dr Sam Lyomoki is to help sacked National Organisation of Trade Unions (NOTU) Chairman General Mr. Usher Wilson Owere settle in life.He said it is unfortunate that Mr Owere who worked tirelessly in. defending and promoting workers’ rights earning himself a trademark of “Workers Defender”, got in trouble with affiliates.“ Mr. Owere defended and promoted workers’ rights earning himself a trademark of “Workers’ Defender” but unfortunately affiliates voted him out,” he said.Hon. Lyomoki , who is also a member on the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Board of Directors representing workers, was speaking to the Workers Eye in an exclusive interview.He said matters pertaining to power struggles and administrative wrangles in the trade union fraternity are not new but added that leaders will always dialogue and value each ones’ contribution in the workers cause.The former legislator popularly known as “ God’s Minister for Workers” within labour fraternity circles , said he is ready to discuss with the National Resistance Movement (NRM) government to offer brother Wilson Owere a job like a Resident City Commissioner’s position.“ I shall discuss with the NRM government to give bro Usher Wilson Owere a ”safe – landing” position like an RDC or RCC,” he said.Dr. Lyomoki said there is every reason to believe that Mr. Usher Owere annoyed NOTU members which culminated in the November 15, 2022 assembly where 27 affiliates passed a “vote of no confidence in him.He said:” Losing the position of Chairman General in NOTU is not end of the world. Mr Owere can still offer services to the country in another capacity.”.Hon. Lyomoki said Mr. Owere has been a loyal cadre of the ruling NRM government and through his unremitting enthusiasm in advancing the workers interests he became the embodiment of trade unionism in Uganda.The former legislator advised that ,in future trade union leaders should dialogue and resolve differences amicably within their organizations and desist from fighting in the media which has adverse effects.During the November 15, 2022 General Council, 27 affiliates unanimously passed a Vote of No Confidence in NOTU Chairman General Usher Wilson Owere accusing him of inefficiency and mismanagement of the federation.Mr. Owere twice exhibited open bias and inefficiency as he failed to chair and moderate the General Council meetings. At one point charged members almost exchanged blows and one of the punches unleashed missed the Chairman Generals’ head by hairs breath.As members were pondering on the next move to reorganize the federation then came Mr Owere’s “militant” October 25, 2022, declaration that he had become Titular head of NOTU. He dismissed the Secretary General, overthrew the board and Governing Council and wrote to banks to freeze all NOTU bank accounts. But Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister Hon Betty Amongi Ongom wrote October 28, 2022 requesting Mr Owere to furnish the Registrar of Labour Unions with the minutes and resolutions of General Council that mandated im to be NOTU titular head within seven days..It was at this point that affiliates decided to petition GLSD Ministry and also began censor process in the Chairman General. The Ministry advised affiliates to conform with NOTU constution and Section 34 of the Labour Unions Act on removal of officials from office. ■
